
Royal Mail funeral cortege after much-loved postman's cancer death
Ms Pollard-Vearnals added: "At work, Andrew - or Farni as all his friends knew him -would organise race trips and Christmas dos to bring everyone together."She described him as "well-loved at work", and said up to 400 people attended the service for him at the crematorium. The Royal Mail fleet cortege was organised at the request of his partner Carloline, Ms Pollard-Vearnals added.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Fundraiser for funeral of boy killed by bus in Margate reaches £5,000
A mother's fundraising appeal for the funeral of her four-year-old son, who was hit by a bus, has raised more than £5,000 in a day. Zaahir Jan died following a crash outside the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate at about 16:00 BST on boy had been visiting his grandmother in the mother Azaria launched the GoFundMe page, describing him as "a sweet funny boy with a cheeky smile that could make anyone's heart full". On the appeal page, she said: "I am so lost, he was my son my most beautiful little Jan."I don't know what to do I can't believe you are gone from me. I didn't even get to tell you how much I love you."The smile that we can't see again. Can't hold him. Can't cuddle him. Can't hear him. Can't have him sleeping in my bed tonight."But I can try to give him the best and most comfortable burial." On Friday blankets, flowers, sweets and letters were laid at a memorial area close to the Police is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.


The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Motorbike tribute marks final journey of UK's oldest Second World War veteran
More than 100 motorcyclists have paid a 'wonderful tribute' by riding in convoy to mark the funeral of the UK's oldest Second World War veteran. Donald Rose, who was a D-Day veteran and fought as a Desert Rat in North Africa, died last month aged 110. The service, held on Friday at Ilkeston Football Ground in Derbyshire, was attended by Mr Rose's family, members of the armed forces, the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Erewash and others who wanted to pay tribute to the 'war hero'. Some bikers who escorted the hearse to the service attached Union Flags and other flags reading 'Lest we forget' to their motorbikes, while children outside the football ground held a banner which said: 'For our tomorrow you gave your today. RIP Donald Rose.' John Wallace, a parade marshal for the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Derbyshire, told the crowd of people gathered at the service: 'Don had an interest in motorbikes. 'It is fitting that Don's final journey is accompanied by so many like-minded people, and it is a wonderful tribute. 'He epitomised all that was great and all that we have to be grateful for to his generation.' The service was told that the great-grandfather joined the army because, in his own words, 'they needed me to fight' and 'I wanted to save this country from the fascists'. Mr Rose, who was believed to be Britain's oldest man, was born on Christmas Eve 1914. Originally from Westcott, Surrey, he joined the army aged 23 and served in North Africa, Italy and France, according to the RBL. He received a number of medals and was awarded the Legion D'Honneur, France's highest honour. Erewash Borough Council leader James Dawson paid tribute to Mr Rose as a 'war hero' after his death on July 11. In May, Mr Rose joined 45 other veterans as guests of honour at a tea party celebration hosted by the RBL at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to mark 80 years since VE Day. Mr Rose, who was attached to the division which liberated Belsen concentration camp, said at the event that he did not celebrate the momentous day 80 years ago. He said: 'When I heard that the armistice had been signed 80 years ago, I was in Germany at Belsen and, like most active soldiers, I didn't get to celebrate at that time. 'We just did what we thought was right and it was a relief when it was over.' The Erewash mayor presented Mr Rose with the freedom of the borough for his bravery in the Second World War that same month. According to the council, Mr Rose said he was proud and happy to receive it, but said: 'I didn't do anything that anyone else would not have done.' When he was aged 106, Mr Rose completed his bucket list dream of flying a plane by operating a flight simulator. Members of the public turned out to see the cortege pass the Ilkeston Cenotaph on Friday afternoon before a private cremation service was expected to take place.


Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73-year-old mum Susan Weatherman have been living in a hotel room since July 21 after being made homeless - and are forced to share a double bed Paul Maddocks and his mother have been living a hotel room for weeks A mother and son from Stockport have been residing in a hotel room for weeks following their eviction - without facilities to prepare meals or wash their clothing. Read here about Wales plans to stop people becoming homelessness Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73 year old mum Susan Weatherman say they've been surviving on Pot Noodles and snacks at the hotel since July 21, and were forced to share a double bed for over a week before securing a twin room. Read here about the government's plan to scrap a law that outlaws rough sleeping and begging Stockport Homes relocated them to the Travelodge on Upper Brook Street in Manchester after they were evicted from their previous residence in Edgeley. Read here about the couple who donated two homes for the homeless Paul and his mum Sue, want to be placed closer to their family and friends in Stockport "We've been here for three weeks now, it's really playing on my mental health," Paul said, reports the Manchester Evening News. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "We've not got a fridge in the room, a microwave, or a cooker, so we're having to eat Pot Noodles and takeaways every day, and there's no laundry here. "We spent two weeks in a room with just one double bed. We're running out of cash, we're getting no support with food. We're trying to budget but we're really worried about when our money runs out. " His mum Susan said: "It's a nightmare, it's doing my head in being here and we're far away from our family and friends." Stockport Homes said it is "deeply sorry for the distress" the family is experiencing. A spokesperson said: "Losing your home through no fault of your own is incredibly hard, and we understand how much tougher it is to manage health issues while staying in a hotel. "No one wants families to be in this situation, and we know it's far from what anyone would consider a home. "Like many areas across the country, we're facing pressures on housing, with far more families needing permanent homes than there are properties available. Sadly, that means some people do have to stay in temporary accommodation while we work to find something more suitable." The statement further assured that efforts will continue to secure a stable home for the family. The pair only have a table top as a kitchen area The Edgeley-based family found themselves without a roof over their heads when their previous landlord, Gary Fildes, sold the property they were renting. Gary explained that he was forced to sell due to mounting financial strains and had reached out to Stockport Homes in March to facilitate a seamless transition to social housing. He has since been assisting the family in liaising with Stockport Homes. Gary expressed his disbelief, stating: "To put a 73-year-old in a hotel for nine days in one room [with her adult son] is mental, I have never heard anything like that. There's been absolutely no message on time frames from the council. I just do not get where the compassion is from them." The necessity of spending on ready meals and takeaways has left Paul and Sue anxious about depleting their funds and having to budget meticulously. A Travelodge spokesperson commented: "We understand the pressure local authorities are under and how difficult this is for them and for the people who desperately need a home. Like many other hotel providers, Travelodge works with local authorities to support them with their temporary accommodation needs. "Travelodge's focus is on ensuring all of our customers have a high quality experience across our hotels and we recognise that a hotel room is not a substitute for a home." The firm also noted that the booking was made on behalf of the guests and that they had no say over the choice of room type. Paul has considered private renting but finds nothing affordable in Stockport. Paul and his mother cannot cook a hot meal anywhere in the room He's currently off work due to illness and has struggled with mental health issues. With rents in the borough averaging £1,000 a month, an 8 per cent increase from last year as reported by the Office for National Statistics, affordability is a challenge. Paul expressed his disappointment with the lack of support from Stockport Homes in their dire circumstances. "My head is just burned out, we feel really let down by Stockport Homes, this is not good enough. "I just want them to give us an update to know what's happening. We have absolutely no idea how long we could be here for. We just do not feel they are trying to help us out of this. "We've tried the private rental market and we just couldn't afford it. We're miles away from our family and friends and other things like GPs." Article continues below Stockport Council is poised to allocate approximately £2m on emergency housing this year, in response to an escalating demand for hotel accommodation and increasing homelessness rates within the borough. Stockport Homes, which is under the council's ownership, oversees the social housing stock in the area, with a register that currently includes about 8,000 individuals on the register.