RIP MIKE POLLOCK

Mike was a wonderful help and inspiration to our family when CH struck.  

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. 

So deeply shocked and saddened at the passing of Mike

God bless you Mike you will be so missed by all.

condolence to family , friends,and colleagues.

Elma and George

Shocked by the sudden loss of Mike, he had been a big help to me and others during his time with OUCH, my condolence goes out to his family 

I believe Mike suffered Cluster Headache for nearly 30 years untreated in the days before treatments were available. Mike was probably one of the first sufferers to receive treatment and anyone would have forgiven him for running to the hills with his new found discovery and enjoying some well-earned freedom. Instead, Mike devoted the rest of his life to helping other sufferers to ensure that they didn’t have to endure the years of pain which he had gone through.

No one person will ever know the amount of time Mike gave to other sufferers and to OUCH, most of us just have an insight. Rest assured it was a remarkable amount of time. Although we frequently tried to show our appreciation (which caused him embarrassment as he used to shy away from praise), I don’t think his contribution will be fully appreciated until now. I very much doubt if any one person could ever fill the void Mike has left, I think it’s going to require a whole team of people to even make a dent in his workload.

Mike truly was a great man, an inspiration to all CH sufferers and a good friend to me. On the old forum Mike had a signature which was presumably chosen to reflect his relief at having identified some treatment options after suffering for so many years. Those words seem all too appropriate now as well:

At last, sleep!  

Sean,

Such a lovely tribute to Mike, you said it all in such a warm and heartfelt way.

Mike a good man who who helped us all in days gone past with his tireless work and devotion to ouch he will be sorely by all.

Elma 

Sean

"at last, sleep"

We have to be grateful he has that peace now despite how we feel about our massive loss. Thanks for the reminder and your tribute.

Dorothy

Brian, your post touched me deeply and if it is at all possible, Mike will send us the answer.

Dorothy

Have been overwhelmed with the wonderful messages of tribute to Mike both on here, on the Facebook page and by e-mail.  We are forwarding all responses to the family.  Mike's wife said herself that only now is she realising just how much Mike did for others; she knew he was a remarkable man, but until now did not know just HOW remarkable he was.

His best memorial will be an organisation that grows stronger and benefits from all the work that he did for the charity and most importantly, sufferers. 

He will be a very hard act to follow.

Val.

Dorothy Mike,

Has sent me the answer, on the 28th July I come down to London to see Prof Goadsby, at Kings, his surgical team are going to show me and talk me through the new procedure I keep forgetting.

I am not a religous man but someone up there was watching over me.   

Posted on behalf of Ian and Emily Matthews:

Ian and I offer our deepest sympathies to Jane, Luke and family, a huge gap in their lives has happened. We are so so sad to hear of Mike's passing and deeply shocked that this wonderful man is no longer with us, what he did for OUCH is untellable, unbelievable and wonderful. I will miss his yearly contact, he always, always asked how Ian was even though he was suffering himself. 
 
I came across this which I think probably summed up what Mike was
 
Dear Friends,
I go, but do not weep
 
I've lived my life, so full, so deep
Throughout my life, I gave my best
I earned my keep
I've earned my rest
I never tried to be great or grand
I tried to be a helping hand
 
Author Unknown 
 
Ian & Emily Matthews

 

Goodnight,my dear friend.

i dont post here a lot and to behonest i never seen Mike but i spoke to him about 20 times . i am 41 years old . And i have had Ch since i been 15 years old . and if it was not for Mike i would not been diagnose propely from my GP . He told me what to do and gave me some advice how to cope. he was a voice who was a phone call away who  gave me help/advice  and talk sense to me  . Thank Mike i will miss your banter and advice and all you done to help me !   R.I.P