MY BROTHER SHAUN by Murray McLeod-Jones MBE

Shaun McLeod-Jones was a kidney dialysis patient at Addenbrookes Hospital for about 13 years after his best match for a kidney transplant ended in rejection in 1990. During that time Shaun underwent some 74 operations for various problems associated with the treatment he was receiving.

Shaun was described by one consultant as a ‘walking miracle’ that he had lasted so long whilst on dialysis three times a week. It was that line that really hit the essence of Shaun’s character on the head. As a young man he had played rugby at all representative levels, club, county and international and was a tenacious and attacking fullback who would constantly push himself and others to match him. One of his most treasured memories was coaching Haverhill Rugby club to promotion two seasons on the trot.

Shaun's other great love was sailing, more so when the time for retiring from rugby appeared. His favorite club was The Royal Burnham Yacht Club, it was a club stacked with his friends in which he thoroughly enjoyed himself and made friends that lasted for the whole of his life. To see him sailing was a to see a young man who had a real affinity for the sea and those who sailed and respected it.

He was also a great family man, the second eldest of six children, whose father died in 1979 and whose mother Kate, brought the family up in an atmosphere of love and caring. It was Kate that donated one of her kidneys to him when he was first diagnosed; such is the sacrifice that a mother will make for any of her children. Shaun, after the death of his father Ian, filled the role of the father figure, he was a great source of advice and was hugely generous with his time and effort with his siblings and friends. Whilst he never had children of his own, he loved his nieces and nephews and would constantly spoil them!

Over time the dialysis gradually wore Shaun down, as he became weaker and more dependent he never lost his ‘have a go attitude’ nor his generosity of spirit at helping those that needed it and came to him for advice.

Shaun died on 31 May 2003, at home with his family close by. He was 40 years old. Throughout his life Shaun proved that you can do anything with the right attitude, he fought so bravely for so long that finally he had nothing left to give. To me, he was my brother, the bravest man I have ever met and an honor to have known and loved.