Adam, Kim and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and of course to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
At this time last year, I wrote the following:
“Who could have imagined at around Christmas time in 2019 what was soon to follow? A global pandemic that in some way or another has affected all of us and those we hold dear.”
Well, just as we thought we might be in for a recovery period following COVID, we have once again been knocked sideways by a War in Ukraine, an energy crisis, the like of which we haven’t seen since the 1970s and roaring inflation, which has wrong footed central banks …… again! I think it’s safe to say that 2022 has been another difficult year for everyone and yet all my wonderful clients and indeed family and friends have continued to face the challenges of living in such uncertain times with good humour and pragmatism!
As with quite a number of years now, in lieu of sending individual Christmas cards, we have decided to make a donation to a worthy cause.
I lost a dear friend, Den, earlier this year and at his funeral his sons spoke movingly of his very humble background in Liverpool. Den’s father died while he was very young and his mother struggled to cope on her own, something which I imagine was quite common in those days. One day, his closest school friend Pete said to his own mum, ‘Can Den come and live with us?’ He was thus taken in by another family without an adoption certificate in sight, a post War 1950s’ community at work.
Den went on to have a very successful career with United Biscuits and latterly running his own business, Imagine Consultants, named after his beloved Beatles, whose songs he would sing loudly at every possible opportunity.
When his beloved wife, Pat, succumbed to early onset Dementia, Den stepped up to the plate like a true champion, caring for her selflessly until eventually this was no longer possible; he was devastated by her passing in 2021.
He was a great skiing and cycling companion, he was a deep thinker, a wicked storyteller and a very compassionate man who cared greatly for those who were less fortunate than himself.
The picture below is of badges that his sons had made up for us all to wear at the funeral. I can say, without contradiction, that if we were indeed all ‘More Den’, the world would be a happier place.
At his funeral, Den’s family asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go to The Salvation Army, an organisation which meant a great deal to him and they are our chosen charity this year, I do hope you will approve.
I do hope 2023 brings you all you would wish for and, of course, a resolution to the war in Ukraine.
With very best Christmas wishes,
Yours sincerely
Graham Ponting CFP Chartered MCSI
Managing Partner
