Crowds pay respect at firefighter’s funeral
The father-of-four was found dead on duty
PEOPLE lined the streets as a ceremonial funeral was held for a former Hinckley firefighter who was found dead at work.
Crew manager Paul Wilkens, 47, was found dead on August 23 while on duty at Castle Donington Fire Station.
The father-of-four worked for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service for 14 years and also served at Hinckley, Central, Western and Wigston stations.
His funeral was held at All Saints with Holy Trinity Church in Loughborough on Friday, with members of the public choosing to pay their respects by lining the route to the Steeple Row church.
The funeral was also broadcast on a big screen outside the church.
Steve Lunn, chief fire and rescue officer, said: “On behalf of the service, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our communities for the support shown to Paul’s family and the fire and rescue service at this very sad time.
“We have been overwhelmed by the magnitude of the responses to his sad loss and the wonderful generosity shown to Paul’s family.
“I am sure you will recognise that the loss of Paul has had a profound impact on many people.
“Paul enriched the quality of everything he was involved in and he will be impossible to replace.”
Devastated colleagues at Castle Donington set up an online fundraising page to support Paul’s family.
Nearly £13,000 has been raised for his partner Melanie, daughter Poppy, 14, son Albert, three, and two stepchildren George, and Ruby, 15.
Scores of people have paid tribute to the “larger than life character”, nicknamed TL because he was “too loud”. 21,
No details of the cause of death have yet been released.
To donate to the appeal fund visit www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/PaulWilkens