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Weekly
Media Feature - (6/10/2001) |
Charlotte
attends funeral of Wales Cancer Campaigner
From
the South Wales Echo:
By Steve Tucker, South Wales Echo
The sun shone - and the stars came out, too, at a celebration of the
life of cancer campaigner Sandra Tree.
Singer Charlotte Church and Manic
Street Preachers drummer Sean Moore were among the mourners at
her funeral in Penarth and cremation yesterday.
Much-missed Sandra, from Penarth, lost her nine-year battle with
cancer last week at the age of 48.
She had spent much of her time helping others with the disease and
was instrumental in raising £27,000 for the children's cancer
charity Latch.
Family, friends and admirers packed into St Augustine's Church in
the town to remember Sandra, as Charlotte sang the song of lament In
Trutina.
At Coychurch Crematorium, in Bridgend, the Manic Street Preachers
single Ocean Spray was played - the song was written by James Dean
Bradfield about his own mother's death from cancer. Drummer Sean
Moore was at the crematorium to represent the band.
Both the Manics and Charlotte Church became close friends with
Sandra, through her husband Geoff's business. Geoff was the first to
introduce stretch limousines to South Wales - a service the stars
often used.
The parish curate at St Augustines, Father Kevin Lake, told the
congregation he first met Sandra when she had been carrying out
voluntary work at the Holme Tower hospice in Penarth.
"Her work for charity was ceaseless," he said. "She
kept working from her hospital bed and encouraged others to do the
same. Her bravery and courage was an inspiration to us all."
The day was treated as a celebration of Sandra's life and many
mourners wore bright clothing at the family's request. Sandra's
favourite hymns, including Bread of Heaven and Calon Lan, were sung
and a recording of Elvis Presley singing How Great Thou Art was
played.
"This has been very beautiful and I'm grateful to everyone who
came," said husband Geoff.
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