‘He was just the most incredible guy’ – tributes paid to carer Andy who died aged 32

TRIBUTES have been paid to popular New Milton carer Andy Maclean who tragically died last week aged just 32 after friends said he struggled with his mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Described as intelligent and kind, Andy was a home carer working for Agincare in New Milton and was a well-known and popular member of the Walker Arms pool team.

Pool team captain Iain Barton said: “Andy had been on the pool team with me for around five years and during that time we became close friends. He struggled with his mental health at times but always really loved the weekly pool nights. He was popular and well loved.”

A spokesperson for the Hampshire coroner’s service confirmed Andy’s death was under investigation but said an inquest has not yet been opened.

Originally from South Africa, Andy grew up and attended school in Johannesburg before travelling to the UK in 2013, and working in the catering industry.

He followed in the footsteps of his cousin Iain Walker (34) who had moved to London a couple of years earlier. Iain said: “Although I’m only a couple of years older than Andy, I was a bit like a father figure to him.

“He didn’t really have any other family here so I used to come down and visit him when I could and we’d go to Durdle Door or Weymouth.

“He had built up a close network of friends since coming here.”

After moving to the New Milton area, Andy initially worked at the Walker Arms pub in Station Road and later joined its pool team.

His close friends Chantelle Deeks and Matt Luscombe recall they first met Andy around four years ago at the Walker Arms.

Chantelle said: “Andy was sitting alone at a bench outside looking a little lost so we started chatting and asked what he was doing. He explained he was writing out a mathematical equation to see if anyone could work it out.

“We were chatting away to him and at first he was so engrossed in what he was writing he wasn’t really responding – but after a bit of perseverance he came out of his shell a bit and we realised he was living just round the corner from us in Barton.”

The couple soon formed a close friendship with Andy and he would often pop round to their house or meet them to play pool.

Matt said: “Andy was always very open with us about his mental health struggles but that wasn’t all he was about. He was just the most incredible guy who would do anything for anyone.

“He cared deeply about his friends and the people who he cared for and looked after as part of his job. He would always put others first.”

A keen photographer, Andy loved nature and particularly enjoyed visiting Durdle Door and the Dorset coast to take pictures.

Chantelle said: “I know the lockdown had been difficult for Andy – he couldn’t get out as much as he would have liked and socialising had become really difficult.

“He did have help for his mental health before the pandemic but I think some of the support stopped and he struggled with that.

“I knew he had been struggling recently and I saw him the week before he died and he didn’t look good. I just wanted to give him a hug but because of social distancing I wasn’t able to.”

She added: “I am still in complete shock about what has happened – I just keep expecting Andrew to pop up. It’s very hard to accept that he’s gone.”

Cousin Iain said: “Andy was actually quite reclusive and techie – he loved playing with computers, taking them apart and then rebuilding them.

“He had struggled with his mental health for many years and had sought help in the past. He used to go to various support groups but sadly when Covid began I think they stopped meeting or went online which probably left him feeling a bit isolated and alone.

“Personally I don’t think the support system was very effective even before Covid but when the pandemic started lots of the avenues that he would have used were suddenly closed to him. He had nowhere to go in a crisis.

“It has been wonderful to find out just how many friends Andy had and how much they cared for him. He was clearly highly thought of by many people.”

Friends of Andy’s hope to arrange a memorial for him in December which will take place on the beach at Durdle Door – one of his happiest places.

Chantelle added: “Andrew had an absolute heart of gold and was very caring despite his own difficulties. So many people have been in touch to say how much he meant to them and how he touched their lives.”