One family who has been through a horrendous few years might just be coming through the other side, thanks to establishing a thriving local business.
Andrew Knott saw his family fall apart after his partner received a second cancer diagnosis and fought a valiant battle before it got the better of her. A further three close family members also passed away – but it was his son, four-year-old Sebastian, who became the driving force to help rebuild his life.
He has now established Woodley Radio Controlled in the former premises of the Doll’s House in Twyford – and the business is in Liana’s memory.
Andrew and wife Liana were car enthusiasts who met on the car club scene. Liana, who Andrew fondly describes as his ‘queen’, had previously had a rare form of cancer. Diagnosed with pseudomyxoma, she had a 7kg tumour removed from her stomach before having a scan every six months.
After becoming pregnant she had to miss a scan but when Sebastian was born, her stomach failed to shrink down again. Concerned that something was wrong, their local GP wouldn’t listen to them but luckily, they were referred to Basingstoke Hospital where a doctor was training in the specialist unit and spotted something on Liana’s x-ray. It could have easily been missed but just two weeks after the birth she was diagnosed with a malignant teratoma and doctors drained 14 litres of fluid from her stomach.
Andrew said: “It was such a difficult time; it was so tough. It had been a complicated birth and we nearly lost Seb. We were dealing with being new parents and then we had to face Liana’s diagnosis.”
Receiving treatment from Basingstoke Hospital, instead of revelling in the joy of being new parents, they received the devastating news that an operation was not an option. Following chemotherapy, Liana was eventually admitted to St. Michael’s Hospice.
Andrew said: “They were absolutely brilliant. Seb was a little celebrity. He was a real ladies’ man and he just kept getting whisked away. And towards the end, they arranged a small wedding there for us, just three days before Liana died.”
As a planner for the Open University, Liana was a meticulous planner. And as she faced the biggest fight of her life, together the couple made plans for Andrew and Seb for when she was gone.
“She was able to plan for Seb’s future which most people don’t get to do. I have been following her guidance and trying to stick as closely to it as possible. But I’m running out of the plans we made together now. I try not to put stress on myself, but I hope Liana would be happy with the decisions I’m now making.”
Sebastian is now following in his dad’s footsteps, attending Willowbank Pre-school. “Liana and I visited the school together and she was happy with it, so I am glad to have been able to follow through on her wishes.”
Andrew and Seb are now living in the family home with his dad who has been a tower of strength and helps out all the time. The business started as a way for Andrew to save to buy his first home. “I wanted something to do to keep me busy and the business has really been my saviour. It was a coping mechanism and as Seb is as obsessed with cars and trucks as we were, it feels like a real family affair.”
Andrew is now ready to have a launch event to really put his business on the map. He added: “It feels like the right time to remember those we have lost as well as look to the future. Liana was a very private person and didn’t tell many people about her illness. It was a shock to some when we lost her so it will be nice now to celebrate her life.”
He is planning a launch party for Woodley Radio Controlled in the next few
