BEREAVED family and friends of a Rugby man who died in a motorcycle accident have raised over £2,500 for charity in his memory.
After Ian Cockerill, 53, passed away in January, his wife Kim and their daughters Emma and Abbie asked mourners for donations to the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) charity which tried to save his life, rather than flowers at his funeral.
Kim said: “Although the aircraft wasn’t used at Ian’s accident, the Critical Care Car with Paramedics and Doctors attended the scene.
“We have always been avid supporters of this very worthy cause. The family are so grateful for their efforts, and cannot express enough how vital it is that the Air Ambulance is kept flying, saving lives.
“Thank you so much to everyone who donated, enabling us to raise this fantastic amount.”
Leaving a tribute on an online donation page in Ian’s memory, Kim described him as her soulmate, best friend and a caring husband and father.
She added: “You gave unconditional love and friendship to everyone you knew.”
Daughter Emma said: “You were so full of life and just the best dad anyone could wish for. You did so much for us and we can’t thank you enough.”
Her sister Abbie added: “You were always the joker of the family and were never serious in any situation. You were the best dad anyone could have wanted.”
WNAA’s legacies manager Chloe Bass said the ‘incredible’ donation was testimony to how highly Ian was regarded by friends and family.
She said: “We are very grateful that Ian’s family chose to support our charity at this time.
“Donations that we receive ‘in memory’ make a huge difference to the service that we are able to provide, and we are very thankful.”
The Air Ambulance Service is now working with the National Forest to create a new Air Ambulance Memorial Woodland where trees can be planted in memory of loved ones.
The service relies entirely on donations, receiving no funding from the government, the NHS or national lottery aid. Each rescue mission costs around £1,700.
Visit www.funeralzone.co.uk/obituaries/56945 to make a donation to the Air Ambulance in Ian’s memory.
