Memorial fundraiser for much-loved local angler with 'a heart of gold'

A fundraiser has been set up to honour the memory of a ‘top man’ much-loved in the angling community who passed away earlier this month.

Paul Hogan, also known widely and fondly by the nickname ‘Floppy’, lived in Langley and was a familiar face at Windsorview Lakes in Datchet.

He was well-known for his humour, kindness and providing a listening ear to those who needed it.

Paul passed away aged 57 from complications relating to his diabetes, kidney failure and COVID, after a long period of ill-health.

A keen angler, Paul loved wildlife and the outdoors. Given his health problems, going out around the lakes ‘gave Paul a purpose,’ said his life-long friend Tony Wells.

Ryan King, fishery manager at the lakes, aims to raise £3,500 to purchase a memorial bench in Paul's name – and to stock some fish in the lakes named after him.

“All he wanted was to be a big part of what we’re doing here – and he certainly was in many ways, even just an ear for me to moan at,” said Ryan. “He was always there when I needed him.”

News of his death fetched an outpouring of sorrow and condolences on the Windsorview Lakes Facebook page, with hundreds of responses.

“Paul could make friends anywhere. It's who he was,” said his friend Tony. “Anyone you speak to knows his name. There's not many true friends [in the world], but he was one of them.”

Another of Paul’s old friends, Marc Crockford, described him as ‘a larger than life’ character with ‘a heart of gold’.

“If he was your friend, he was a friend for life,” said Marc. “I'm absolutely gutted, it's really heart-breaking.”

So far, Paul’s Go Fund Me has raised £1,225 – and Ryan believes Paul would ‘be so proud that so many are donating in his name.’

Windsorview Lakes stocks King Carp for catch and release, and Ryan wants to get a couple of new ones and perhaps name them ‘Floppy’ and ‘Hogan’ in Paul’s honour.

The carp are recognisable as individuals to keen anglers – so people would know when they had caught one of Paul’s fish.

“He would’ve absolutely loved this and I think it’s perfectly fitting to remind us all of him,” said Ryan. “If he could have chosen anything for a Go Fund Me, this would be it.

“All he wanted to do was sit by the lake and have more fish in [it]. He absolutely loved it.”

Paul’s mother, Dianne said Paul was ‘a free spirit’, ‘a giant of a man with a giant heart to match’ with ‘a wicked and quirky sense of humour at times.’

“I can't emphasise how much he was a really nice person – every one of the tributes captured him. He was the type who would help anyone,” she said.

“He was an absolutely exceptional son to me. I was so proud of him.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation to Ryan’s Go Fund Me can do so at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-mate-paul-loved-by-many-and-a-face-that-will-be-missed-x?cdn-cache=0