The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Brave Ali dies after raising a massive £45,000 for cause
Selfless: He never complained, was positive and sought to live life to full
AN inspirational young engineer who raised £45,000 for charity has died following a long battle with brain cancer.
Alistair Repper, known as Ali, died in the early hours of Thursday in the Glen O’Dee Hospital, Banchory, surrounded by his family.
The 27-year-old, from Westhill, had fought the incurable illness for nearly
four years. It eventually left him suffering regularly from seizures and paralysed from the neck down.
But despite the shock diagnosis and his subsequent declining health, Mr Repper, who worked for Amec, decided to spend his final years raising money for others in a similar position.
Along with his younger brothers, Steven and Graham, the process engineer launched the Repper Brothers Fund, and embarked on a series of fundraising efforts including sponsored marathons, 10ks, bicycle rides and sky dives. The trio became official fundraising partners for the Brain Tumour Charity, and managed to raise about £45,000 to date.
Last night, his brother Graham said he was an “inspiration” to everyone he met.
“Ali was literally the most popular guy going, he’s a true inspiration to all,” he said. He had such a positive attitude throughout his life. He was so caring and kind and always up for a laugh, he was loved by all.”
Just days before his death, Mr Repper decided to set up a separate fund to raise funds for the Friends of the Neuro Ward (FONW) charity, after his most recent stay at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
In a statement on the fundraising Facebook page, his brothers and parents, Alan and Linda, said: “To all who had the pleasure of meeting Ali I’m sure you will be aware this lad was a true one-off.
“Fighting all the way to end against a cruel illness he is a perfect example of how we should all be. Always thinking of others and never a moan about how tough these last few years have been.
“The impact that the brain tumour had on Ali was huge. With almost daily seizures and lots of medication.
“First to go was his driving licence. Until at the end he was paralysed from the neck down.
“But not once did he complain and instead chose to look at the positives and how he could live life to the full.
“We would like everyone to take some of his bravery and humour going forward and always remember the amazing man that he has always been.”
The family has also praised the doctors and nurses in ward 205 that helped Mr Repper over the years.
The Brain Tumour Charity fundraising page can be viewed at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/therepperbrothers, while the FONW page is at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/therepperbrothers
Mr Repper’s funeral will be held at Aberdeen Crematorium on Thursday at 11am.
All family and friends are invited.
The family has asked that only family bring flowers.
“Ali was literally the most popular guy going, a true inspiration”