A brother has made a moving tribute to one of the original founders of Not Just Travel.

Robin Witt passed away on Christmas Eve, four years after he was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia.

He was 46.

Robin, a talented chartered accountant, was a Director of the Christchurch-based travel firm for 15 years.

Born and bred in Dorset, Robin attended Pimperne First School, St Leonard’s Middle School in Blandford, The Blandford School and then Southampton University.

Here Steve Witt, also one of the founders of Not Just Travel, and pictured left with Robin, pays tribute to his older brother who he describes as “the most amazing dad to two amazing children”.

He also makes a plea for people to remember that not all disabilities are visible.

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One final journey…

On December 24, Robin Witt, one of the original founders of Not Just Travel took his final journey.

Back in 2001, Robin helped create what has today become one of the most successful homeworking travel companies in the UK.

Robin retired from the business shortly after being diagnosed with a very rare form of dementia called ‘Frontotemporal Dementia’ (or Picks disease)  which affects the young.

A very cruel disease which causes problems with behaviour and language.

It very quickly stripped Robin of the ability to communicate and eventually memory issues.

If you have Pick’s disease, your symptoms will get progressively worse over time.

Many of the symptoms can make social interaction difficult.

Robin, second right, with Not Just Travel’s Paul Harrison (left) and Steve Witt (right) and brand ambassador Daley Thompson.

For example, behavioral changes may make it hard to conduct yourself in a socially acceptable manner.

Behavior and personality changes are the most significant early symptoms in Pick’s disease.

Not Just Travel is built by entrepreneurs with a very positive mindset, even during these difficult Covid times, but it’s only fitting that they also help raise awareness of mental health issues that can affect us all.

Last year, the Not Just Travel team, inspired by Robin’s journey raised over £60,000 for some amazing causes including Mind.

Robin was also the most amazing dad to two amazing children.

Right up until his final journey they always made him smile, one of the few memories and thoughts that were not cruelly taken away from him.

Mental illness of some kind will affect one in four of us this year, more so than ever with social isolation.

It’s very important that we take time to help each other and ourselves.

Although it sounds upsetting and depressing to say, it is a reality that this could be taken away from us at any time.

Robin, for example, very quickly lost the ability to talk and communicate.

Don’t wait to tell those around you what you need to say or want to say.

Don’t put off the things you want to do.

Next time someone doesn’t seem themselves, is doing something you think isn’t right or blanks you and you think they are being rude, take a moment and appreciate that they may not be able to control what they are doing or saying.

Remember that not all disabilities are visible.

Remember that not everyone can always tell you when they are suffering.