Tribute to Karim Manji

I met Karim in September 2023 after connecting on Hinge and we became friends. We met in Stanmer Park, hugged our favourite trees and chatted for hours lying on the grass in the late Summer sun. We then met nearly once a week for a while as we both had flexible schedules. We made use of Monday lunch deals and I am grateful that he introduced me to Abyssinia Ethiopian restaurant. We enjoyed long beach walks and deep chats and when he moved away from Brighton stayed in touch with phone calls and voice notes. We bonded over our love of nature, dating stories, ADHD, functional medicine, puns and both training to be therapists. It was lovely to learn we had friends in common too. Just days before he died we messaged and arranged a February meet and celebrated the prospect of a long overdue in person catch up. He was thinking about a counselling placement at the same place as me, which would have been an absolute delight. I am now extra sad that our plans in November or January didn't work out for various reasons and wish I'd seen him then. I grieve the friendship that was growing and am grateful to have known Karim for 18 months. I have been shocked and saddened by Karim's untimely passing and also it has been great to learn even more about him from those who love him. I am blown away by his incredible achievements, humility, generosity and kindness in just 39 years of life. I was touched and moved to join the celebration of his life on Zoom and can see how his legacy will live on through those who knew him. Sending so much love to Karim's mum, brothers, family and closest friends.