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Alan Henning memorial service held in Manchester | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A memorial service for murdered British hostage Alan Henning is taking place in Manchester. | |
The 47-year-old was beheaded by Islamic State (IS) militants after he was captured in December while delivering food and supplies to Syrian refugees. | |
His widow Barbara and children Adam and Lucy are expected to attend the British Muslim Heritage Centre ceremony. | His widow Barbara and children Adam and Lucy are expected to attend the British Muslim Heritage Centre ceremony. |
Ahead of the service, his friend Dr Shameela Zulfiqar praised his "golden-hearted selflessness". | |
'Extraordinary individual' | 'Extraordinary individual' |
Faith leaders were due to speak at the service, entitled His Life and Legacy Remembered. | |
Organisers have urged people to "join together to remember an extraordinary individual and the need to continue his legacy of humanitarian aid work". | Organisers have urged people to "join together to remember an extraordinary individual and the need to continue his legacy of humanitarian aid work". |
They wrote on Facebook that the ceremony was "for people of all faiths and none to stand together, unite and continue the work". | They wrote on Facebook that the ceremony was "for people of all faiths and none to stand together, unite and continue the work". |
More than £30,000 has been raised for Mr Henning's family so far through online appeals set up after his death. | More than £30,000 has been raised for Mr Henning's family so far through online appeals set up after his death. |
Organisers hope to raise £50,000 to help the children he was "so motivated to help in Syria", said Dr Zulfiqar. | |
Last Sunday, Mrs Henning and her children attended a service of "reflection and solidarity" at Eccles Parish Church, Salford. | Last Sunday, Mrs Henning and her children attended a service of "reflection and solidarity" at Eccles Parish Church, Salford. |
Mr Henning, a taxi driver from Salford, was on an aid convoy when he was kidnapped in Syria in December 2013. | |
A video purporting show his beheading was released last week. | |
Last month MPs voted to authorise RAF air strikes against IS in Iraq, at the invitation of the Iraqi government. | Last month MPs voted to authorise RAF air strikes against IS in Iraq, at the invitation of the Iraqi government. |
The UK is among more than 40 nations that have joined forces to challenge the extremist group. | The UK is among more than 40 nations that have joined forces to challenge the extremist group. |