Spencer Atkinson’s sister has paid tribute
04:00, 18 Nov 2025Updated 06:26, 18 Nov 2025
(Image: Gina Atkinson)
A veteran has taken on her “biggest challenge yet” in memory of her brother. Growing up, Gina Atkinson, 50, from Oxton, had always looked up to her big brother, Spencer Atkinson. In fact, he even inspired her career serving in the armed forces.
Sadly, five years ago, the family got told the heartbreaking news that Spencer had died, one month before he celebrated his 52nd birthday. Spencer had been suffering from “very bad” acid reflux and started to lose weight. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer and died three months later.
Gina said the news came at “possibly the worst time,” as covid hit the UK, sending the country into lockdown. Gina Atkinson, 50, said: “He was diagnosed during the tidal wave of covid, which made an already hard time even harder.
“Sadly, he had an aggressive form of cancer and he died within three months of being diagnosed. It was a really difficult time for us all as a family.”
Gina had always been close to her big brother. She recalled how they’d worked together for 14 years and had already been close as a family.
In a tribute, she said: “He was in the Navy for years, he was loved and respected. He loved sports and was fit and healthy when we found out about the cancer, it was such a shock.
Gina with her brother Spencer(Image: Gina Atkinson)
“Looking at him you honestly wouldn’t have known there was anything wrong with him. He was a well known part of the community in Oxton, everyone knew him, he was always happy.”
Spencer was actually the reason Gina joined the armed forces. She said: “He always used to play shoot me through the window with his rifle when we were kids. He was older than me but we shared the same passions, he was the reason I joined. I looked up to him as an older brother.”
In memory of Spencer Gina has completed a 5,200 mile journey walking, cycling and kayaking to raise money for SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity, ACCT UK and Woodys Lodge.
Gina on her hike up to Everest basecamp(Image: Gina Atkinson)
She said: “I started the challenge last September and I have completed it on what would have been his birthday. I’ve done 100 miles a week. It wasn’t easy, it’s been one year long and exhausting.
“My last challenge was leading a group of women up to Everest basecamp. We battled through the storm which took people’s lives. I finished the challenge by walking to my brother’s memory bench on New Brighton prom. His friends got a bench put there in his memory because he always loved the sea, I suppose that came with being in the navy.”
Gina has smashed her target of £5,200 and will be donated all the money to charity. You can donate to her fundraiser.
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