This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-45917046
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Pirate costume patient Craig Bryden loses cancer battle | Pirate costume patient Craig Bryden loses cancer battle |
(3 days later) | |
A Falklands War veteran with lung cancer who became an internet hit after going to chemotherapy sessions dressed as a pirate, has died. | |
Ex-Navy steward Craig Bryden donned the costume for his treatment in April 2016 and was dubbed the "Pompey Pirate" by his fellow Portsmouth FC fans. | Ex-Navy steward Craig Bryden donned the costume for his treatment in April 2016 and was dubbed the "Pompey Pirate" by his fellow Portsmouth FC fans. |
He said his intention was to "make people smile". | He said his intention was to "make people smile". |
He died on Wednesday, aged 58. His wife Rae said he was "an inspiration to everyone who knew him". | He died on Wednesday, aged 58. His wife Rae said he was "an inspiration to everyone who knew him". |
Mr Bryden had admitted hospital staff were surprised when he turned up in a pirate costume. | Mr Bryden had admitted hospital staff were surprised when he turned up in a pirate costume. |
"It's the only way I can approach it. My persona has got to be outwards and upwards and smiling," he said in a BBC interview in 2016. | "It's the only way I can approach it. My persona has got to be outwards and upwards and smiling," he said in a BBC interview in 2016. |
"When I went in dressed as a pirate the other people who were going through chemo looked and smiled - which made me feel good." | "When I went in dressed as a pirate the other people who were going through chemo looked and smiled - which made me feel good." |
Mrs Bryden said her husband had been "larger than life". | Mrs Bryden said her husband had been "larger than life". |
"He was overwhelmed by the reaction. He wanted to help others to face their own battles," he said. | "He was overwhelmed by the reaction. He wanted to help others to face their own battles," he said. |
On one bus journey to hospital he sat beside passenger Courtney Jones, who posted a selfie of the pair that attracted hundreds of comments online. | On one bus journey to hospital he sat beside passenger Courtney Jones, who posted a selfie of the pair that attracted hundreds of comments online. |
'Humble and brave' | 'Humble and brave' |
Ms Jones, whose online post was shared thousands of times, said: "He got on the bus and everyone stared; he immediately made me smile. | Ms Jones, whose online post was shared thousands of times, said: "He got on the bus and everyone stared; he immediately made me smile. |
"I have never felt so privileged and honoured to meet such a humble [and] brave man! You're an inspiration Craig!" | "I have never felt so privileged and honoured to meet such a humble [and] brave man! You're an inspiration Craig!" |
Mr Bryden also went on to achieve an ambition of leading his beloved Portsmouth out at Fratton Park. | Mr Bryden also went on to achieve an ambition of leading his beloved Portsmouth out at Fratton Park. |
Fellow fans are planning a minute's applause during Portsmouth's match against Fleetwood on Saturday. | Fellow fans are planning a minute's applause during Portsmouth's match against Fleetwood on Saturday. |
Mr Bryden, from Copnor, spent 20 years in the navy, surviving the sinking of HMS Sheffield when it was hit by an Exocet missile during the Falklands War. | Mr Bryden, from Copnor, spent 20 years in the navy, surviving the sinking of HMS Sheffield when it was hit by an Exocet missile during the Falklands War. |
Previous version
1
Next version