Shop inspired by ‘Superman’ Brett set to open in village
Mum says he would love shop as he sold items from his bedside
THE family of a young man who died of leukaemia are to set up a shop in Burbage in his memory.
Brett Woodier, from Coventry, died over Christmas 2013 at home surrounded by loved ones after a five year battle with the cancer, aged 18.
He got the nickname Superman as he fought back from the brink several times, but he passed away as a result of complications caused by intensive treatment.
Now his inspiring story will live on at Brett’s Gifts, a shop featuring spiritual, quirky and second hand wares, which opens on Thursday at 47 Atkins Way.
The unit was formerly a hairdresser’s and has been stripped of its chairs and sink to make way for unique items such as tables carved into the shape of animals and colourful crystals.
The family was inspired to create the business by Brett’s own skills as a wheeler dealer, which he used to practise even while he was receiving treatment.
Mum Sarah said: “I think he would love it.
“He used to run a business from his hospital bed. He used to buy and sell things from his mobile phone.
“Staff used to come up and ask him to get things for them.”
The shop is just 15 minutes’ drive away from where the family now lives in Nuneaton and sits among a row of shops with parking on the front.
“It’s taken us five years to get to this point, to do something in his memory that isn’t upsetting”, Sarah said.
“He’d love the fact that it was called Brett’s Gifts, although I think he would think the crystals are a bit girly.”
Sarah is also planning to publish a book, Because of Brett, which looks at death and the process of grieving.
Asked what advice she would give someone facing the death of a love one, she said: “It isn’t a one size fits all thing.
“Be kind to yourself, and if you are there for someone who is grieving, just be there.
“It’s a subject we should be talking about more.”