Andrew passed away on Sunday 28 May whilst competing at an event he was passionate about, the 2023 Swansea Triathlon.
It made national headlines and came as a shock to his family, friends and colleagues. We thank everyone who has passed on their condolences.
Andrew was the much-loved Area Manager of The Wallich’s Bridgend services.
Dedicating more than 15 years to delivering, developing and managing a wealth of homelessness services across the County of Bridgend.
It’s an immeasurable loss to his family and friends, and to everyone he worked with at The Wallich.
We are really sorry to everyone who knew him to share this news.
Despite being a stalwart in Bridgend, unbeknownst to many, Andrew actually started with The Wallich in the Nightshelter and Sir Julian Hodge Hostel in Cardiff in 2007 before going to Bridgend.
He was great in the Nightshelter and, straight away, you knew there was something special about him. He really wanted to get involved and change things for the better.
He then began working as floating support in Bridgend, where he spent several years supporting people in their own homes to prevent homelessness and to lead happy and fulfilled lives.
Andrew went on to become a Project Manager in Bridgend, before taking on Area Management in 2021.
Andrew was a supportive, committed and inspirational leader to his team and colleagues, well-respected by our partners and stakeholders in Bridgend and was passionate about making a positive difference to the 1000s of people he worked with during his time with The Wallich.
He was super-efficient and wanted to make our delivery better, he constantly wanted to maximise and problem solve.
He helped grow the projects, like Bridgend ABBA and bringing the MAC project next door to our drop-in on Park Street. Always thinking of the future.
Well-respected is a phrase which often comes to mind. He listened and showed up.
Andrew was often in the building before everyone else and would never leave just because it was 5 o’clock.
During COVID, he was in every single day. He would always jump in to fill in services, nothing was ever too much trouble.
Always a team player, Andrew ensured lots of facetime with staff. He respected all of his teams and always used to feedback and champion how amazing his teams are.
He was detail-orientated and constantly finding teachable moments. His approach was always with kindness and a wicked wit to boot.
His door was always open and he was always really interested in what his team were doing in their spare time.
His personal passions were many, but in particular: Travel and sport.
He had a scratch map of the world and had travelled most the northern hemisphere.
Whenever he could, he went on his travels with family and on football holidays.
He went to Qatar for the World Cup, and went to every single Welsh game (home and away).
He was also a Cardiff City fan and leader of doing a lot of the trips away.
A clear safe pair of hands, well respected and somebody you could trust.
Andrew had a really dry sense of humour.
As a Cardiff City fan, there was lots of banter with the Swansea supporters in the team.
He was also ultra-competitive, always trying to improve and be better at work and in his personal life.
When he wasn’t trying to get justice and empowerment for people supported by The Wallich, he was trying to improve his sporting abilities.
