As many of you now know, our treasured friend Paul passed away peacefully early on Sunday morning, 3 March 2024, in NZ, with Michelle where she has always been - lovingly, at his side. Paul's courage, fitness, faith and love meant that he outlived all expectations in terms of the aggressive cancer which was first diagnosed in 2021, enabling him to share many precious milestones with his family in the intervening time. To all of the many friends who have supported Paul and his family throughout this journey, and who continue to do so - thank you. Your support and love is deeply appreciated by Paul's family, and also by each of Paul's friends and the many communities of people he made an impact on during his time in both Australia and New Zealand. To those who attended Paul's funeral service, whether in person or by livestream - thank you too. Your love for Paul transcended time zones and oceans and was certainly felt and appreciated by his family in Wellington last week. Paul - the best man and most complete person many of us have every known. And weren't we lucky to have known him. RIP Paul. ”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It has been a long time. This journey started in June 2021, when our dear friend Paul Schmidt-Uili was diagnosed with bile duct cancer - a rare and aggressive form of cancer, often only discovered at a very late stage. It has been an incredible time – operations, so many rounds of chemo that there can’t be any more, periodic stays in hospital, and bravely fighting off infections. In the midst of all that, Paul has worked, enjoyed seeing his children further their studies and their sporting lives, made time for friends and (with the generous help of others) has caught up with overseas family and friends and seen Bronson play basketball in the USA. Paul’s remarkable wife Michelle has been a tower of strength throughout all this. She and Paul continue to take great comfort in their faith and love for one another, and their four wonderful children. They have told us so many times how much they have appreciated people’s prayers, good wishes and messages of support. Now it is time for Paul, Michelle and the family to enjoy as much time as possible together, as they gather together. It is also time for us all to again gather to help our dear friends the Schmidt-Uilis. Most of us don’t live just down the road from them anymore, but there are still ways we can all help with meals, transporting family, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house and all the other practical things we would want to support them with if we could be there at this time. If you would like to provide practical support for Paul and his family, whether it is the cost of a family meal, a tank of fuel, or something more significant for the family’s ongoing financial needs, then you can make a donation through this forum. You can also send a message of support to them on this page. We hope that this provides you, together with many others, avenues to express your care and affection for Paul and his family in ways that will make a difference, and makes this a time of quality time together. Paul, Michelle and family: we love you, and you remain in our prayers and thoughts! Wolfgang, Peter Surgeon, Scott, Simone and David Sharpe