Sam Dixon, of Belper, a friend of Neil Dalton, gave this eulogy at the funeral:
I HAVE known Neil since before I can remember, and he has always played a massive part in my life. Neil's family has always felt like an extension of my own, and I have probably spent as much time in their house as I have in my own. Even in the last four years whilst we have both been away at university the times we have spent with each other have been like we have never been away. And that says a great deal about Neil as a friend. He was a friend to everyone, and someone that always brightened up your day with his infectious positivity, and enthusiasm for life. He had a never-ending ability to bring a smile to people's faces with his witty sense of humour and always saw the best in everyone. He was popular for a reason, and that was because he was just a fantastic person to be around.
Neil was the most motivated and most driven person I have ever met. He excelled at everything he turned his hand to throughout his life, yet was consistently modest. He always set incredibly high standards for himself, and worked harder than anyone to achieve his goals. He was not only academically brilliant, but also talented on the football pitch, and with a cricket bat in his hand.
His achievements throughout his life prior to university are far too numerous for me to talk about in detail. He won multiple trophies playing both football and cricket, and captained a variety of sports teams throughout both his school and sixth-form life.
His legacy within the sports teams he played for is set to continue with a number of memorial matches and events being organised. This commitment to ensuring Neil is remembered is a reflection of the commitment he showed to these sports teams himself.
He won awards for his academic ability too, including for his outstanding A-level results, which helped him to gain his place at medical school. He also gave a large amount of his time to charity, including volunteering and undertaking fund-raising events, something which continued throughout his time at university, raising money for the Anthony Nolan foundation.
He will leave a hole in all of our lives that can never properly be filled, and he will be sorely missed by everyone. But I know for a fact, he would have wanted today to be about a celebration of the wonderful life he had, and of the joy and happiness that he brought to everyone whose lives he was involved in. I also know that in the months and years to come, he will continue to bring happiness to all of us through the sharing of memories.
Samuel Doyle, who studied medicine with Neil at Newcastle University, gave the following eulogy at the funeral:
I FIRST met Neil four years ago on the second day of medical school. A quiet nod across the seminar room, mutual appreciation for long hair and a conversation about Mumford and Sons sealed the deal.
At university, he lived an active and varied life. He excelled academically, all the while maintaining a down- to-earth and humble approach. He was always happy to help and offer advice and many times he would explain concepts to me, without any judgment and nothing but a friendly smile. Clinically he would always approach patients with kindness and compassion, a characteristic he showed in everyday life towards everyone he met. Alongside his clinical skills, he developed a witty and dry sense of humour.
It was not just in academia that Neil excelled. The football field was where he made a name for himself, playing for the Newcastle medics seconds. He became one of the key members of the medics' football organisation. The winning of the national medical schools football competition was the beginning of a new era of success for the seconds. Neil had the respect and admiration of his team-mates and became captain in third year, the team winning both intramural cups and being able to knock the medics first team of their perch. He remained captain in fourth year, winning an intramural league and an intramural cup. His quiet determination, encouragement and all-out effort, whatever the weather, earnt him the admiration of his team-mates.
There were many things aside from football that kept him busy. Not a week went by where Neil was not in training for some sort of event or challenge. In September last year he ran the Great North Run with his father in aid of Macmillan. Barely a week later, he signed up for his next adventures – the coast-to-coast cycle ride in aid of Anthony Nolan and the Vienna marathon with his family.
The determination in which he approached his training, his selfless attitude for helping others, and modesty about his physical achievements were all qualities, which many, including myself, admired in Neil. For me, I will always remember the ease with which we connected, the amount of laughter we shared.
The word 'sorry' has been used a lot lately over the past few weeks. Well I would now like to take this opportunity to apologise.
I am sorry for the medical profession; for the loss of a fantastic doctor-to-be and someone I would be happy look after my family; I am sorry to Newcastle for the loss of a fantastic student, sportsman and brilliant friend. And I am sorry for everyone. For those who knew Neil, and for those who had yet to meet him.
