Mike Bridge – an inspirational man who made a difference

 FAMILY and friends are mourning the loss of Mike Bridge – an amazing and inspirational man who was a driving force behind the Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity campaign.

Father-of-three Mike passed away on April 26 at his Winchester home after a courageous battle with cancer – one where his positivity and determination shone through as he defied the odds and made the most of every day.

Mike, who was 59, was proud to be a Winchester Hospice Ambassador and has been one of the champions of the fundraising campaign to convert Burrell House, on the Royal Hampshire County Hospital site in Winchester, into a 10-bed hospice.

Mike was the heartbeat behind ‘I Love Winchester Hospice’, which was a triumph in February 2021. This ambitious online auction and entertainment event succeeded in raising more than Mike’s target of £25,000 – and he was delighted.

Paying tribute to her husband, Mike’s wife Dawn said: “Mike was a loving husband, father, friend and colleague, who will be missed very much by everyone who knew him.

“Mike was a larger than life character who loved life and he grabbed it with both hands. He was always so positive and was such a can-do person. He was full of fun, and one of those people who once you met him, he was never forgotten.

Mike had a long and successful career in the insurance industry, rising through the ranks to become regional sales director at Lombard Insurance Company. He and Dawn loved making a family home in Winchester, where they and their three children – Sophie, Sam and James – have lived for more than 20 years.

Dawn said: “Mike loved being a dad, and while he always worked long hours, he enjoyed the family time that he had at weekends and on holidays.”

Dawn added: “When he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, he was determined to fight it, and he did. And when he got involved in the Winchester Hospice campaign, he wanted to do everything he could to help and support it. He thoroughly enjoyed getting involved and wanted to make a difference.”

A keen Arsenal fan, Mike loved sport, and he was one of the key figures behind the successful Winchester Hospice Annual Charity Golf Day – encouraging his many friends from the business world to get involved and support the charity.

Mike also made a moving and memorable contribution in a promotional film which raised greater awareness of, and funds for, the Winchester Hospice fundraising campaign.

Meticulous Mike planned every detail of his funeral, which will take place on Friday, May 21 at Chesil House. Also typical of his kindness and generosity, he has asked for any donations to be given to Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity through https://mikebridge.muchloved.com/

Paying tribute to Mike, Nick Vaughan, chair of Winchester Hospice Fundraising Charity, said: “Everyone involved in the charity sends our condolences to Dawn and her family, and they are in our thoughts at this sad time.

“Mike was a wonderful and inspirational Winchester Hospice Ambassador. Like everyone who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Mike, those of us involved in the charity were touched by his passion, enthusiasm, kindness, and generosity.

“He has left a legacy by making such a difference to the campaign to create the hospice. While everyone is deeply sad that he will not be here to see it open this year, he will be with us in spirit and in our thoughts.”