Some comments made about Nigel

Nigel is a man good hearted and kind,He has helped me to get things out my mind,I think he is a great Man. He has helped me as much as he can. I wish all the world could look and see. All the good things he has done for me. Since I was eleven I have been on my own. No-one to trust, no-one to phone. Tears in my eyes and always sad. But I see Nigel as my Dad would like to say, Nigel thank you very much for what you have done for me. I have never trusted anyone. Once again - thank you.

Darren - aged 16 - on his departure from youth prison.

Dear Nige, Thanks for helping me to change my life cos I whuld not of been able to do it with out you thanks [sic]

Anthony - aged 17

... you made some major impact on me and no one has been able to reach me like that for years .. [I've] built a wall around my inner thoughts and feelings and normally when someone's talking sense to me I'm like "yeah,yeah" I know it all but it was like you was reaching, yeah, you was reachin for real. I really hope meeting you is to play a significant part in my future plans for life.

Gareth - aged 21

Mr. Lane came into my life via chat rooms on the Internet. His nickname of 'teencoach' online does promote questions as to what sort of coach he is. His open attitude was inviting so it led to me asking about God and as chatting became easier sharing personal stuff, we did a fair bit of that also. He blew me away with his simple answers and most of all with his 'relationship' with God. It was weird to hear how anyone can have this relationship with God and be so up front with the simplicity of it all, to him it as natural as being in his marriage. It was so baffling for me that it lead to more and more questions, and never once did he call me stupid for asking. I sure gave him some smart answers at times. My head was full of thoughts about what Mr. Lane had spoken about and very often I would write pages of questions about life and God, simple stuff at first, like was Jesus a real person?

At Easter while I was at my Gran's home I got up early and went to the beach and it was there that I really believed in God. The sun was rising and I was overcome at His beauty. This same weekend my teacher, confidant and friend committed suicide, as I was later to find out. A couple of weeks later at his Memorial service I was again to experience the overwhelming presence of God, fighting back tears I asked Mr. Lane's God for help, not being totally certain that I believed at that time. It was only later, looking back that I realised these moments were points that were very significant, which is why the above two examples may look contradictory..

During this time frame Mr. Lane (his pet name is 'goose') and I exchanged many many e-mails or chatted live on line. He was so good with both direction in life and getting the best out of myself, developing integrity and self worth and introducing me to his best friend 'Jesus'.

I might add that I didn't always hear the easiest options or liked how he made me think, often telling him so bluntly, chucking a wobbly as I read. His method always provoked thinking and challenged me personally.

Why did I rely on a stranger you ask? Well, with my situation, family could not be relied upon and it is inviting to think someone understands these thoughts and fears and sees them as 'normal'. (he even likes Macca's) I am a deep thinker and just don't share my real thoughts with anyone, especially my peers who tend to 'follow the crowd' and 'judge', (I do that too). I felt alone with my thoughts, ideas and questions on many things like parents, sex, school, parents and parents, stealing and honesty and parents and leaving home, death, leaving school and parents and parents, alcohol and drugs, career, writing and money and (you guessed it) parents". My head would swim with "what to do?" those thoughts before meeting Mr. Lane stayed with me. The God thoughts came during talking with him and hearing about his life.

Some major stuff has happened in my life over several months both positive and negative. Without Jesus and 'Goose' (Mr. Lane) who knows what dumb moves I may have made?.

Adam aged 18