22/08/2026
A beautiful tribute sent through by David and the children at The Home of Life for Richard Drew on what would have been his birthday. He still remains in the hearts of many.
“In Loving Memory of Richard Sir, a Pioneer of the Home of Life. You believed in a dream before it was anything, and that belief became a home for 55 children.
Happy Birthday, Richard Sir. Forever remembered. Forever thankful. From your home, Home of Life.
Dear Richard Sir,
Today is your birthday, and even though you are no longer here with us in body, we wanted to write to you, because some people you never really stop talking to.
You were one of the very first people to believe in Home of Life, before it was anything but a dream and a prayer, you saw it and you trusted it. That kind of faith is rare, and it is the reason so many children have a home today. Every child who has slept safe under this roof, every life that has been touched, carries a little piece of your belief in it. We often say Home of Life came to life because people like you dared to say yes when it was still just an idea.
It is still hard for us to accept that you are not with us. There are days we catch ourselves wanting to call you, wanting to hear your voice, wanting your advice on something, and then we remember. But even in that ache, there is so much to be thankful for. We still talk about you often, your wisdom, the way you could see clearly when the rest of us were confused, and your humour that could turn a heavy day light again. And of course, we cannot help but smile every time someone says "oggy oggy oggy" because you taught us all to shout back "oy oy oy!" like it was the most important thing in the world. It still is, because it still brings you right back into the room with us.
We love you, Richard Sir. We miss you more than words can carry. And today, on your birthday, we lift you up in prayer, trusting that you are resting in the presence of our Father in Heaven, in perfect peace, surrounded by the kind of joy you always tried to bring to others.
Happy Birthday, Richard Sir. Your life is still bearing fruit here, and it will be told to generations of children who will never meet you but will grow up knowing your name and what you gave to make Home of Life possible.
With love, gratitude, and a very loud "Oi, Oi, Oi," the Home of Life family”