I would just like to say a heart-felt thank you for all the generous donations that were given at my late husband’s funeral, Andy Gardner.

I have very recently received letters from both St Nicholas Hospice and Marie Curie, thanking me for the money sent to them. Marie Curie gave me a breakdown of the cost to train and kit-out one of their amazing nurses. If it hadn’t been for their help and support, that of my 2 children and Andy’s brother and wife, I would not have been able to manage Andy’s care at home; it was Andy’s wish to remain at home as he hated hospitals and he had made the decision to stop his treatment.

Anyone who has used the services of Marie Curie will understand just how invaluable they are and so your donations, which will have provided another nurse, have gone to such a good cause.

I would also like to thank everyone who came to say goodbye to Andy and to those of you to whom I didn’t get to speak I apologise, but I found the whole day so emotional, making it difficult to speak to everyone.

As Nobby King wrote in Andy’s remembrance book, “Race in peace Titch”.