Colourful funeral for inspirational Race4Men founder Derrick Daley
ALL the rainbow colours of Derrick Daley's life were celebrated at his funeral this afternoon.
Outpourings of love came from the family and friends who packed out St Katharine's Church in Matson.
The great-grandfather was described as 'one in a million trillion' and someone who 'just got on with it' despite his illness.
Derrick battled cancer for eight years and founded Race4Men to raise money to fight the disease.
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His efforts raised thousands of pounds and inspired everyone he met.
The Gloucester 'hero' carefully planned his funeral before he died on March 4, aged 65.
Everyone was invited to write on his coffin and the white cardboard was covered with colourful messages of love and thanks for the love he shared with so many.
Derrick also banned people from dressing in black and asked them to wear 'happy clothing'.
There was laughter as Reverend Canon Dr Jeni Parsons joked of having to follow his instructions.
But many people could not help but shed tears as words penned by Derrick himself were read out.
The father-of-eight, who was 'Pops' to 16 grandchildren, sent love to all his family, especially his 'beautiful wife' Sandra and said how much he would miss them all.
Daughters Lynn, Patricia, Tracey and Joanne all paid tribute to him, speaking of his love, compassion and 'great hugs'.
Grandson Liam and three friends sang 'The Impossible Dream'.
And Derrick requested Kirsty NacColl's 'Days' was played for wife Sandra and Westlife's 'Too Hard to say Goodbye'.
Breakfast radio host Warren Moore from Heart FM did a reading.
He met the Kingsholm resident through 5km Race4Men, which Derrick ran himself despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to fight bowel cancer.
In 2011 he was honoured with the Citizen-backed Brave Heart Hero award to recognise his achievements.
The funeral was followed by a private service at Gloucester Crematorium and gathering at Spartans Rugby Club.
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