David’s life, loves and laughs chronicled in self-published autobiographical book
Being the extraordinary chap that he was, David Hicks – founder of Really Good and Soul – was never going to have a normal memorial and it wasn’t, but it was one that was overflowing with love, verve, personality and fun.
Taking place on Thursday, 9 June, it was attended by many of his friends from within the industry and beyond as well as members of his extended family, it just as David, who died in early April, suffering from motor neurone disease, wanted.
Prior to his death, David had talked though the plans with his wife Nicole Mendelsohn, not only setting the steam punk theme, where everyone was asked to dress up accordingly, but he also compiled the music playlist and made sure cake featured strongly at the City Barge pub, Chiswick, venue.
The riverside setting for the memorial was all the more appropriate as David and Nicole lived on a barge on the Thames.
Organised to take place the day after PG Live, it meant David’s many international industry friends were able to be part of it, including US-based Alan and Vanessa Harnik of Notes & Queries, Sydney-based Jenny Cummins of McMillan, Netherlands-based Geert Hoeberigs of Decadence Nederland and Switzerland-based Markus Keller of CART.
Long-time friend and former colleague Mike Gray, md of M.E.G Cards & Gifts from Coleraine, did his pal proud as the main master of ceremonies, introducing Nicole, who bravely paid tribute to the beloved husband she described as her “rock”, followed by many others sharing their stories about the true one-off that was David Hicks.
All guests were given a copy of David’s hot-off-the-press self-published autobiography, entitled The Condom Split…And Here I Sit, which chronicles the life, loves and laugh of the big man, including many mentions of his experiences in the greeting card industry as well those people who coloured his world.
Team Beige to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease Association
In memory of her husband as well as to raise funds for and awareness of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Nicole and her friend Gavin Robertson are taking part in Wacky Rally’s Barmy To Barcelona 2022 event.
To participate in the four-day rally (from 1-4 July, their car could cost no more than £500 – so they bought a 31-year-old beige Mercedes as their vehicle of choice for this challenge!
The route of around 1,500 miles crosses high Swiss, French and Italian mountain passes, the rolling hills of Italy, French Riviera, and Spanish Costa Brava, finally ending in the city of Barcelona.
Participants are encouraged to personalise their bangers and to be as imaginative and expressive as they like. Dressing up for the ride is part of the fun too!
Nicole and Gavin are so taken by the immense beigeness of their beige Mercedes, that they’ve decided to embrace this colour and wear only beige-coloured clothes for the duration of the rally.
To donate, head to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/teambeigerally
Instagram links/tags: @mnd_team_beige @wackyrally @mndassoc
Top: David Hicks’ daughters Pipi and Josie with Jenny Cummins of McMillan Card & Party.
