Flynn Saunders

Flynn Saunders (Martin Dingle-Wall/Joel McIlroy) was a fictional character in the soap opera Home And Away, who first arrived in the bay as a young counsellor ready and willing to help Shelley Sutherland out at the drop in centre. It was revealed a few weeks after that he was also a trained doctor who proved to be very useful in the hectic lives of the Summer Bay residents. He often acted as a ‘go between’ between the hospital doctors and patients of the bay. It was actually his own family issues that made Flynn turn from a doctor to a counsellor, when his younger sister left home to be on the streets. While out searching for her, he realised what so many young people go through, and realised that he had what it takes to become a counsellor. Since being in the bay people have seen just how well he connects with the youngsters, and helps many of them to overcome their battles. Flynn is now married to long time love Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) and they are running the Summer Bay Caravan Park. In 2004, they welcomed the arrival of their first child, Pippa (Tameka and Bojana Main) and in 2005 they took in homeless teenagers Ric Dalby (Mark Furze) and Cassandra 'Cassie' Turner (Sharni Vinson) who they are now raising as their own. In 2005 Flynn found out he has only three months to live due to cancer in the brain and other vital organs. After deciding against chemotherapy, Flynn faced a tough moment when he told Sally that he wanted to take his own life, in order to save himself the pain and humiliation of dying a slow death. Finally he realised how precious his last few weeks were, and he decided against it, eventually passing away naturally on Valentine's Day, 2006, his devoted and loving wife Sally by his side.