This website has been set up by Dean's family and is a tribute to Dean, who was born in Ashford, Middlesex on January 05, 1980.  Dean was educated at University of Surrey, as a Chartered Civil Engineer, specialising in the designing of on/off shore oil and gas facilities, in the latter part of his career.  He lived and worked around the world over the years including France, Spain and Azerbaijan.   

Dean outlived all expectations he was given when after many months of symptoms, he was eventually diagnosed with MND at 35 years old in October 2015.  Like many people living with a terminal illness, the shock and devastation it can bring to your life is very traumatic.  With time, he was able to show the world that having MND doesn't mean you can't live a fulfilled life, it just means thinking outside the box and having supporting people around you to help.  He continued to travel the world, visiting 11 countries after his diagnosis, going on two cruises when he was unable to fly, starting a new business and learning to Copperwork, flying a small plane, ice-skating in his chair, and ticking numerous bucket list wishes off the list. 

He loved a good party!  As a huge Liverpool fan, he loved playing and watching sport (football, rugby, golf, darts just to name a few!)  He enjoyed keeping fit and running, he loved eating out and drinking (the good stuff obvs!).  He was an avid Starwars fan from a young boy and always had a book on the go. (His favourites included Greek mythology). 

Above anything and everything, being a Dad to his children Chloe and Ben was the highlight of his life.  They were his world and the reason why he kept his fight for as long as he did.   

Dean knew he wasn’t going to win the MND war but he had some great battles.  He was our Rocky and fought for everything he had.  His last few months were a real struggle and painful for him.   Luckily we were able to sit with him day and night, when you watch MND take everything away from someone you love it can be life changing.  But even when he was unable to move or speak he taught us not to be scared but to love and to live a good life and to be kind.  

As time passes, he is still very much loved and always missed by his parents Juliet and Richard, sister Shelley and husband Chris, his niece and nephew, aunties and uncles and his cousins.  We feel very lucky that we had the chance to support him and help provide the care he deserved along side all his medical carers (and it was a big team!) who knew how precious his time left was.  He was able to stay at home throughout his illness which was down to his friends relentlessly raising money to adapt it and have the equipment installed that he needed daily.  His friends played an important role in providing normality and being there for him when he needed it.  

Dean loved raising money for the MNDA and would be so proud of how much has been raised so far.  His hopes and dreams for finding a cure, we are sure will happen one day.  If you would like to fundraise in memory of Dean for the MNDA, please do get in touch as we would love to use this tribute page.  Thank you so much, with much love from the Halkes family.