A FITTING send-off for an armed forces veteran who died without the money to pay for his own funeral has been organised after residents sprang into action.

John White, who lived on Jurby Court on the site of RAF Padgate, died at the age of 74 on Monday, October 31.

Described as a ‘happy soul’, John was a well-known figure in the area and would often be seen out and about on his mobility scooter, but the veteran had no immediate family or the £700 to cover the cost of a basic funeral.

But a date for John’s funeral has now been set after kind-hearted residents raised a total of £1,045 for his send-off.

Lucy Smith, the owner of Soldiers Cleaning Services, spearheaded the fundraising campaign.

She said: “It’s been quite touching to be honest and now it’s finally booked – I’m glad that we’ve managed to do it.

“The response we’ve had has been quite a shock to be honest – it’s been amazing and even now we’re still getting phone calls about John.”

John’s life will be remembered in a ceremony at Walton Lea Crematorium on Friday, January 27 at 10.20am, followed by a wake.

His coffin will be draped in the Union Jack and taken for one last visit to his Padgate home before the service, while a piper will also play at the funeral.

Lucy is now hoping to make a memorial garden for John at Jurby Court and to set up a charity to help people in similar situations.

She added: “I think there will be a big turnout as I’m hearing of more and more veterans who are going to turn up.

“We’re also speaking with the company that owns the properties to make a little area of Jurby Court into a memorial garden.

“We’ve been trying to bring the community back for the last few months and it all seems to have worked out.”

Anyone wishing to make further donations to John’s funeral should contact Mears and Jackson Funeral Directors.