Cathedral vigil for Darren
FRIENDS AND FAMILY GATHER IN MEMORY OF 32-YEAR-OLD
COVENTRY man Darren Cumberbatch was remembered at the city’s Cathedral in a candlelit vigil.
Around 100 people met in the ruins of the Cathedral on Thursday night to light candles in his name and share memories of the 32-year-old.
Darren had his life support machine switched off on July 19 after he was hospitalised following police contact in the early hours of July 10.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Cumberbatch, who was initially arrested after an incident in Nuneaton.
In the wake of his death, the Justice4Daz campaign was set up and it was they who organised Thursday’s vigil.
The service was led by the Reverend Desmond Jaddoo who told those gathered at the cathedral: “Darren’s funeral will not be held for a while so it’s right and fitting that we hold this vigil this evening.
“You must remember that God loves Darren. We all do. And the fact that you do, means that God does too.
“Love is about the way you live your life and coming together to share that love. To lean on each other and to reflect on what Darren meant to you.
“Let us stand firm, but let us show that we will do what is right in the quest for justice for Darren.
“We will do it the right way. To stand tall you have to stay on the right side of righteousness, no matter rough the ground may get.”
Darren’s mother and sister thanked all those that had come, before Charlie Williams from the Justice4Daz campaign said: “Today is about Darren, his family, his friends and his supporters. When myself and Desmond got the news about Darren, we got to Carla’s house within days. But by the time we did, I felt Darren was a best friend to me from all of your comments about him and the type of person he was.
“I was blown away by all these people telling me about him. It shows what a special guy he was.”
The Rev Dr David Stone, Sub Dean of the cathedral, read out a letter from the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth.
It read: “Dear Darren’s family, friends and those standing with you during the hard days of grief and pain. I know that your grief is very deep at the tragic loss of someone so dear to you who has so much of life to live.
“I know your grief is made more painful by the circumstances of his death and your want to know fuller details.
“You stand today in the ruins of the old cathedral - a place that suffered.
“You also stand on the site of the new cathedral, rising from the ashes of despair – a statement in stone of the power of the light and love of God.
“I pray that you may find the hope that God gives to all who reach out.”