Health News - Running in memory of Steve’s good work

Published: 28 April, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

HE had a difficult start in life, but youth worker Steven Fry was not the type to feel sorry for himself.

Born with severe facial disfigurement and a complex set of medical problems that required him to have his skull virtually rebuilt by surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital, he was abandoned by his mother at birth.

He was also virtually blind – with no vision in one eye and tunnel vision in the other.

But Mr Fry overcame his early difficulties and went on to devote his life to children, working for more than 10 years for Camden Council’s play service.

Following his death last year from a heart attack – at the age of 38 – his good friend Paul Mackulin, 33, has decided to embark on a gruelling 18-mile run and cycle ride around Regent’s Park on the anniversary of his death.

Mr Mackulin, an officer with Islington Police, is hoping to raise £2,000 to split between Great Ormond Street Hospital – where Mr Fry spent much of his childhood undergoing operations to reshape his head and face – and the Katie Piper Foundation, which helps people to live with facial disfigurement.

He also plans to erect a plaque or memorial bench in Somers Town, where Mr Fry lived.

Mr Mackulin, who now lives in Stevenage but lived formerly in Starcross Street, Somers Town, said: “I just wanted to do something in his memory because he’d been through so much in his life but he never let it get to him.

“I met him through a friend when he came and sat in my car. The next day he came round to my house and just started making himself a cup of tea. From then on he became a member of the family. 

“People would stare at him because of how he looked but he just got on with life, it didn’t bother him.”

Mr Fry spent his early years in a children’s home in Hackney, but met Mary and John Toomey, whose daughter was also in hospital, when he was a three-year-old boy. 

Amazed by his resilience, the couple, who lived in Polygon Road, struck up a friendship with Steven that would ultimately lead to them welcoming him into their family. 

He developed a passion for working with young people, particularly those with autism. He was a familiar figure in Somers Town and spent more than 10 years running play schemes and holiday clubs. He also volunteered at the St Aloysius social club.

Mr Mackulin added: “I’ve got a pot in the police station which people have been dropping pound coins in and I’ve set up an online page for sponsorship. I’m hoping to get a couple of grand at least. Steve did so much good work and had so many friends in Camden it will be nice to do something to remember him.” 

• To sponsor Mr Mackulin visit  www.sponsorformsonline.co.uk/paulmackulin.asp