Philip Routledge from Whitehaven to be remembered at Solway Hall event

Philip Routledge, 34, of Mirehouse, Whitehaven, passed away on June 8, after struggling with alcohol issues.

He was well-known for working in many of the pubs and clubs in the town, including The Anchor Vaults, The Puncheon and The Labour Club at Mirehouse.

Philip Routledge will be remembered at a fundraising event on Friday night (Image: Submitted)

Philip’s sister, Stacy Routledge, said: “He was just funny – absolutely hilarious. He had the banter.

“It didn’t matter which pub he worked in, he got on with everybody. He didn’t have a bad word to say about anybody.

“His personality was massive. He was funny, caring. He was the best uncle, brother, son. He was close with all of his siblings and all of our kids. He was just so funny and full of life.

“If you were having the worst day possible, you would walk into a room and he would just brighten up your day.

Philip Routledge loved 'the banter' in the pubs he worked at (Image: Submitted)

“He loved the banter in the pubs. He’s known nothing else, all his life. He started glass-collecting in the Labour Club when he was 16. That’s where he started off.”

Philip had been diagnosed with ADHD as a child and his family believe he used alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Stacy said: “People with ADHD don’t know how to cope with day-to-day life and what comes with ADHD. Alcohol made him feel comfortable. He was anxious without it. We believe that was his coping mechanism. The drink had got hold of him.”

Philip's family believe there needs to be more awareness of how ADHD affects people’s lives.

Philip's sister, Stacy, said he would 'get on with everybody' (Image: Submitted)

Stacy said: “There’s a whole lot behind ADHD. The struggles within day-to-day life, from getting up full of anxiety and not being able to cope with everyday life. People who don’t have it don’t understand the fight.”

Philip had been deepy affected by the death of his father in August 2021. He blamed himself for his dad contracting Covid and began drinking more.

He was diagnosed with stage two liver disease last year – but his family were not aware how serious his condition was.

Stacy said: “Philip didn’t understand a lot of things. As a family, it wasn’t explained how serious it was. We just got told he had to cut down the drink.”

Philip was taken into West Cumberland Hospital with a blocked gall bladder on May 31.

He was then transferred to the Cumberland Infirmary for intensive treatment but medics could not get rid of the toxins fast enough and he suffered organ failure.

Philip with his late dad, Philip Routledge Snr (Image: Submitted)

He was the son of Sheree and the late Philip Routledge and was one of five children – Stacy, Kevin, Lisa and Kirsty. He also leaves behind his partner, Michael.

A fundraiser will be held to celebrate Philip’s life at the Solway Hall in Whitehaven on Friday, July 21, at 7pm.