Hundreds gathered at St Paul’s Church, in Holgate Road, shortly after 10.15am on Friday (March 27) for to remember Paul Bradley,
Moving tributes to Mr Bradley, who lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), aged just 35, were led by Rev Matthew Woodcock.
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They included a beautiful poem from Paul’s family, a Bible passage read out by his step-daughters that had been read at Paul and his wife Emma’s wedding, and another reading from his family about the life he led and the legacy he leaves behind.
Mourners listened to Paul’s favourite music and heard stories from his full and vibrant life – captured in photos on screen.
Paul and Emma pushed forward their wedding in 2023, marrying at St Paul’s with a service led by Rev Woodcock (Image: Supplied)
Speaking during the service, Rev Woodcock said: “I know that this is not going to be easy for any of us.
“To lose such a treasured, life-giving person at such a young age is devastating, and it’s confusing and it’s traumatic.
“I know that the weight of grief has been so hard to bear for many of you.
“And my hope and my prayer is that this time together will be a healing time, a time to celebrate and give thanks for the man that Paul was, the joy that he brought and the generosity of spirit and the legacy he leaves behind.”
Emma and Paul with their family (Image: Submitted)
Paul had received his devastating diagnosis of MND in 2023.
He died on Thursday (March 5), leaving behind Emma, their son and his two step-daughters.
Over the years, Paul and Emma – who were married at St Paul’s by Rev Woodcock in December 2023 – raised thousands of pounds for the MND Association.
Their generosity touched many and was noted by Sir Kevin Sinfield, the former Leeds Rhinos teammate of Rob Burrow CBE who himself has raised over £11 million for the cause – who wrote to Emma after Paul’s death.
Jack (left) set up a fundraiser to help Emma and their family after they were left in a “difficult” financial situation (Image: Supplied)
As The Press reported, a fundraiser was set up for Emma and the family by Paul’s friend, Jack Pullen, after they were left in a difficult financial situation following his death.
It comes after Jack said Emma had to give up her job to become Paul’s primary carer following her husband’s diagnosis.
Things were made harder owing to Paul being unable to get life insurance due to his complex medical history.
‘Paul’s death is tragedy enough’
The funeral heard how Paul had received a kidney and a liver transplant at the age of seven, before a further two kidney transplants.
At the time, Jack said: “On top of grief, Emma and the family are left with a mortgage, bills, no transport and no income, adding: “Not everyone is lucky enough to have extra money to put aside just in case.
“It’s not a case of being responsible. It can be financially impossible.
“Like most people, Paul wanted nothing more than his family to feel safe, secure and loved,” Jack said.
Speaking to mourners, Rev Woodcock said: “Paul’s death is tragedy enough.
“We all need to make sure that the family have time to grieve without worrying about money because of an injustice.”
A minute silence was held for Paul at 11am.
Rev Woodcock said that the number eleven had been an important one to the 35-year-old, who had been born on November 11.
Songs played included some of Paul’s favourites: Sullivan by Beluga Lagoon, Elegy by Leif Vollebekk and Santiago by Einaudi – a song that was played on his wedding day.
You can contribute to the GoFundMe set up to provide his family with financial support by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/the-bradley-family-jmpmj?.
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