For the last four years or so we have lived c200 miles apart but we were always there for each other.

I have an old car and during the lockdown I had a flat battery. I bought a trickle charger but was unsure whether I needed to disconnect the battery leads prior to charging. So I rang Steve and he told me what to do. Not only that, he researched the type of charger I had bought and was able to provide further detail on how to get the best results. He then kept in regular contact to ensure there were no issues and that the battery was eventually fully charged.

In our younger days we were a lot closer and not just in distance. We enjoyed a wonderful and exciting childhood and, with friends, got into so many scrapes and adventures. Actually, Steve and I talked about our childhood memories just a few weeks ago and we both agreed that we were very fortunate to emerge relatively unscathed.

I remember being on holiday at Butlins when I was about nine and Steve about 11. We were entered into a boxing match me against Steve over three rounds. I was extremely confident and to be honest I thought I would easily win. I was looking forward to showing him who was the boss. Steve said very little he just got into the ring and boxed my head off for the entire bout. I could not lay a finger on him he was that good. Perhaps there was an alternative career never pursued or, maybe, I was rubbish at boxing?

Some time later, I bought a Morris 1000 traveller for £12. I was too young to (legally) drive and with Steve needing to get to Derby he decided to take my Morris. Steve returned home but my car didn't. He wrote it off somewhere in Derbyshire. He says he paid me the £12 but I cannot remember that.

Talking cars, I had a period when I was carless. Steve would always allow me to use his car if I needed to travel. He never once refused and I remember putting many miles on the clock but he never ever complained. Perhaps he remembered Derby?

Steve was a great brother. He would let me join him and his mates mucking around in Bury, going to the YMCA and The Black Bull. Steve and his friends would buy me beers and fish and chips (at 16 and 18 we were always starving after a few beers) Most older brothers would have said push off. I was extremely luck to have a brother who tolerated a younger brother hanging around him and his mates. It did my credibility no harm either and I never forgot his generosity in that regard.

At about that time, I recall being in Steve's car with a few of his mates. Someone stepped out in front of his car causing Steve to simultaneously swerve and wind down his window so he could hurl abuse at the offender. All of us passengers fell about laughing. It turned out that the guy was the local hard nut who vowed to "get Steve" He never did.

One memory I have I never discussed with Steve. We were out playing (collecting bonfire wood I think) I would have been about 9 and Steve 11 Three lads approached us and it was obvious they were looking for trouble. They were older than Steve and I. Steve knew what was about to happen and shouted at me to run away. Steve did not run he stayed and took them on. I escaped without a mark. From what I recall Steve took a few for the team and was a bit worse for wear but I like to think he got a few punches home himself. He was a good boxer.

So, that is just a few of a lot of memories I have of my older brother, Steve.

Graham.