Andy Saunders | Dance | The Guardian

My brother, Andy Saunders, who died at the age of 62, was born the same year as Doctor Who, and became an unshakable devotee of the program.

Andy, who had Down syndrome, was born in Brighton In Lily (Nee Roth), who worked in a bakery, and Peter Saunders, a commercial artist. He went to Hillside School (now Hill Park School) in Portslade; Our father managed to campaign so that he continued his full -time studies until the age of 19. Leaving school, Andy worked in a lunch club at Baptiste church in St John in Hove and in a cafe at the Brighton General Hospital, where his cheerfulness and his desire to help everyone were used. Then he found a job in Safeway, later Morrisons, where he worked for 25 years, storing shelves and showing people where things were. He loved and received prizes for his service.

During the 1990s, Andy was recruited in High Spin, a professional dance theater theater company with and without learning disabilities. He appeared in productions across the south-east of England, and London and Dieppe. Andy was a funny and graceful interpreter with a good singing voice, and his performances as Elvis, as a member of Abba and as “a little maid of the school” In Mikado, we still remember.

At the turn of the century, Andy was chosen to be the “1963 face”, in a living history project by the newspaper Brighton Argus; It became a tour exhibition and led him to have his face on a bus.

He lived at home until 2006, when our mother, then our aunt died. He then entered the shared scheme of life, managed by Brighton & Hove Council, who supports people who are not able to live independently. He lived with Clare and Clive Robertson for 16 years, and moved to Acorn House, a residential house in 2023. Andy loved the holidays and traveled, often with family and friends, in Europe and Israel, as well as trips to narrow boats and adventure holidays.

He appreciated music, theater and dance and attended many plays and concerts, including the promotions and the Glyndebourne opera, and his pure joy of being there improved the experience of anyone with him. He met King Charles (when he was the Prince of Wales), Cliff Richard and Sylvester Stallone, and often left his family at the door of the stage while he was chatting with the star.

Andy faced life and challenges with an open heart. His faith was unshakable and he was a magnificent ambassador for people with a difficulty in learning, not allowing anyone to turn away or look without giving them a joyful greeting.

He is survived by his sisters, Linda and I, his nieces, Louise and Kate, and his nephew, James.