Victoria Ellen Williams - 11 November 1990 - 27 August 2023

Paying tribute to one of our volunteers who has sadly passed away

It is with deep regret that we are sharing the very sad news of the recent untimely death of Victoria (Vicky) Williams, who passed away on the evening of Sunday 27th August following a short illness. Today we pay tribute to Vicky, who was one of our young Befriending volunteers.

Vicky joined the Befriending Service team in June 2022 and within the time she’s been with Burning Nights CRPS Support, she has definitely been the life and soul of not just the Befrienders but of the charity as a whole.

Vicky’s sister, Hannah said: “We are all completely heartbroken and I can't even put into words how upset we all are. I will forever have a gaping hole in my life where she belongs - she lit up the world.”

Victoria Abbott-Fleming MBE, Founder and Chair says: “We were so very sad to hear of the recent passing of Vicky, and we pass on our most sincerest condolences to all the family at what must be a devastating time. Vicky will be definitely missed by all of us in a wide variety of ways including those clients who Vicky befriended over the 14 months.”

"Vicky was a wonderful, funny, kind and beautiful soul who really cared for the people she supported and befriended. She was so full of light and life that she will most definitely be missed. She used to have so many hilarious stories that she’d tell, especially about Quinn the parrot. It was a real honour to work with Vicky and to have her as part of our charity and family. Vicky was just 32 years old when she died and had so much more to give. She came to completely understand the struggles our community has.”

“Very often, Vicky would join the charity’s craft sessions such as Zentangle and would tell everyone and show those attending about all the different arts and crafts she loved to do.”

"Vicky had such a friendly way about her that put her all befriendee clients at so much ease. She really did help so many people in so many ways, just by being herself. I don’t think any of us will forget the 3 hour Christmas phone call to her befriendee!

Vicky chose to volunteer to help support others living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and those who have been impacted by the condition. She found that Burning Nights CRPS charity were a lifeline when she was diagnosed herself with CRPS. She had recently said that she wanted to give back to the charity because of all the support she received.

Vicky found that volunteering gave her a real purpose again. She found that she connected with so many people. She had said that Burning Nights CRPS were more than a Charity, we were a community and she was so very proud to be a part of that.

One of Vicky’s most recent clients had this to say about her: “Big Thanks to my Befriender Vicky. She was a very nice, kind, patient and friendly person who listened and helped, giving you advice if she could. I’m very happy I had Vicky as my Befriender."

Vicky’s family have very kindly chosen that instead of flowers for those attending the funeral, that donations should be made to Burning Nights CRPS Support. A tribute page has been set up in Vicky’s name. To make a donation please visit this Tribute Link.

In Vicky’s honour we will be creating a ‘Victoria Williams Award’, the details will be published soon.

With Sympathy and Warmth,

Victoria Abbott-Fleming MBE

Founder and Chair of Burning Nights CRPS Support

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