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Alan Henning memorial: 'Killed for being selfless' | Alan Henning memorial: 'Killed for being selfless' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The widow of murdered aid worker Alan Henning has told a memorial service he was killed "for being what we should be, selfless and caring". | The widow of murdered aid worker Alan Henning has told a memorial service he was killed "for being what we should be, selfless and caring". |
Family and friends attended a private service at Eccles Parish Church in Eccles, Greater Manchester. | Family and friends attended a private service at Eccles Parish Church in Eccles, Greater Manchester. |
The 47-year old taxi driver was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped and then held hostage by Islamic State militants. | The 47-year old taxi driver was delivering aid to Syria in December when he was kidnapped and then held hostage by Islamic State militants. |
Family of another British hostage killed by IS, David Haines, attended. | Family of another British hostage killed by IS, David Haines, attended. |
A video purporting to show Mr Henning being beheaded was posted on the internet in October. | A video purporting to show Mr Henning being beheaded was posted on the internet in October. |
At the time, he was the fourth western hostage to be murdered by IS. | At the time, he was the fourth western hostage to be murdered by IS. |
Similar to previous videos, it featured a militant with an apparently British accent, known in the UK media as "Jihadi John". | Similar to previous videos, it featured a militant with an apparently British accent, known in the UK media as "Jihadi John". |
Mrs Henning told the memorial: "We must never forget the reason why he went to Syria and the reason he was taken from us - for being what we all should be, selfless and caring." | Mrs Henning told the memorial: "We must never forget the reason why he went to Syria and the reason he was taken from us - for being what we all should be, selfless and caring." |
She said she had been comforted by the words of well-wishers who have told her her husband will live on in their two teenage children, Lucy and Adam, and the grandchildren she will one day have. | She said she had been comforted by the words of well-wishers who have told her her husband will live on in their two teenage children, Lucy and Adam, and the grandchildren she will one day have. |
Mrs Henning said her "loving, witty and caring husband" was a "great joker" and a "terrible snorer". | Mrs Henning said her "loving, witty and caring husband" was a "great joker" and a "terrible snorer". |
She said her thoughts were with the families of John Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines and Peter Kassig, the other Westerners who were beheaded by IS. | She said her thoughts were with the families of John Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines and Peter Kassig, the other Westerners who were beheaded by IS. |
David Haines' daughter Bethany and brother Michael escorted Mr Henning's widow and daughter Lucy to the service. | David Haines' daughter Bethany and brother Michael escorted Mr Henning's widow and daughter Lucy to the service. |
She said: "I hope and pray that John Cantlie will be released and returned to his family so that they are spared the horror." | She said: "I hope and pray that John Cantlie will be released and returned to his family so that they are spared the horror." |
Audio of the memorial was relayed outside the church. | |
It was decked with yellow ribbons like those well-wishers had sported when there was still hope he would be freed. | |
Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy, who attended the service, tweeted: "Very moving memorial service for Alan Henning remarkable man remarkable family a great example to us all." | |
Christopher Clarkson, Conservative councillor for Worsley, tweeted: "An uplifting celebration of Alan Henning's life at Eccles Parish Church this afternoon. | |
"The Hennings are a remarkable family." | |
Reverend Cyprian Yobera, who carried out the service, said earlier it was to be a "celebration" of Mr Henning's life but "as close to a funeral service as we can get". | Reverend Cyprian Yobera, who carried out the service, said earlier it was to be a "celebration" of Mr Henning's life but "as close to a funeral service as we can get". |
"It is hoped by the family that this will bring closure. They are on a journey coming to terms with what happened to their dad. They are really proud of him," he said. | "It is hoped by the family that this will bring closure. They are on a journey coming to terms with what happened to their dad. They are really proud of him," he said. |
A memorial service was also held in October at Manchester's British Muslim Heritage Centre and was attended by hundreds of people, including faith and political leaders. | A memorial service was also held in October at Manchester's British Muslim Heritage Centre and was attended by hundreds of people, including faith and political leaders. |
More than £30,000 has been raised for Mr Henning's family by his Muslim colleagues and friends. | More than £30,000 has been raised for Mr Henning's family by his Muslim colleagues and friends. |
Prime Minister David Cameron is also considering recognising Mr Henning with a national honour following a request by his MP, Barbara Keeley. | Prime Minister David Cameron is also considering recognising Mr Henning with a national honour following a request by his MP, Barbara Keeley. |