One of the co-founders of Not Just Travel has passed away after a four-year battle with a rare form of dementia.
Accountant Robin Witt, the older brother of Steve Witt, who runs the business with fellow co-founder Paul Harrison, died on Christmas Eve aged 46.
The three of them formed the business in 2001.
Robin Witt had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, also known as Pick’s disease, which causes problems with behaviour and language.
Paying tribute to his brother, Steve Witt said: “It very quickly stripped Robin of the ability to communicate and eventually memory issues.
“If you have Pick’s disease, your symptoms will get progressively worse over time. Many of the symptoms can make social interaction difficult. For example, behavioural changes may make it hard to conduct yourself in a socially acceptable manner.”
The company has raised £60,000 for charity Mind over the last year in a bid to raise greater awareness of mental illnesses.
Witt said: “Robin was also the most amazing dad to two amazing children and right up until his final journey they always made him smile, one of the few memories and thoughts that were not cruelly taken away from him.
“Mental illness of some kind will affect one in four of us this year, more so than ever with social isolation. It’s very important that we take time to help each other and ourselves.
“Although it sounds upsetting and depressing to say, it is a reality that this could be taken away from us at any time. Robin for example, very quickly lost the ability to talk and communicate.
“Don’t wait to tell those around you what you need to say or want to say. Don’t put off the things you want to do. Next time someone doesn’t seem themselves, is doing something you think isn’t right or blanks you and you think they are being rude, take a moment and appreciate that they may not be able to control what they are doing or saying.
“Remember that not all disabilities are visible. Remember that not everyone can always tell you when they are suffering.”