BIRTH
Karl was born on Wednesday the 26th of February 1981 at Sunderland Maternity Hospital at 09.20 Hrs. At birth, he weighed eight pounds and six and a half ounces. He was overdue by more than fourteen days and the local GP suggested, tongue-in-cheek, that washing the floor might help. About to consider any form of advice, his Mam decided to help bath the family's Olde English Sheepdog, Dylan. Sure enough that did the trick and Karl was born the next morning.

HOME
Karl's first home was in Ennerdale Crescent, Penshaw where he lived until 1985. In 1985, he moved to Chatsworth Street, Sunderland where he lived the rest of his life. During the summer, however, he liked to spend some of his evenings at his Grandparent's home in Avondale Avenue, Penshaw sitting in the garden enjoying the late evening summer sunshine.

SCHOOL
Karl attended The Elms Nursery School in Sunderland from 1984 to 1985. Barnwell Primary School, Penshaw from 1985 to 1986 when he began attending Barnes Infant and Junior Schools in Sunderland. At secondary level, he attended Thornhill Comprehensive School and St. Aidans Boys School.

FURTHER EDUCATION
Karl's post-school education was undertaken at City of Sunderland College. He studied at the Shiney Row Centre. He was very interested in Computer Games Technology and was hoping to study this at University before he died.

ILLNESS
At the age of eight, Karl was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukeamia and was treated for it at the Children's Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. He was in remission until he relapsed at the age of 13 and was subsequently treated for this remission at the same hospital. In 1999, he was told that he was in total remission. At this time, however, he was also told that he needed treatment for the effects of cardiomyotoxin to his heart caused by chemotherapy. On the 19th January 1999, while playing five-a-side football at Washington Leisure Centre he died of a heart attack.