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Olive Cooke death: poppy seller had long term depression inquest hears Olive Cooke death: poppy seller had long-term depression inquest hears
(35 minutes later)
One of Britain’s oldest and longest-serving poppy sellers died from multiple injuries after falling into Avon Gorge, an inquest heard. One of Britain’s oldest and longest-serving poppy sellers died from multiple injuries after falling into Avon Gorge, an inquest has heard.
Olive Cooke, 92, left notes to her family before she died and had “long term issues with periodic depression and low mood,” the coroner was told. Olive Cooke, 92, left notes to her family before she died and had “long-term issues with periodic depression and low mood,” the coroner was told.
Friends and relatives have said that Cooke, who dedicated 76 years of her life to selling poppies in her home city of Bristol, felt harassed by the many charities who asked her for donations.Friends and relatives have said that Cooke, who dedicated 76 years of her life to selling poppies in her home city of Bristol, felt harassed by the many charities who asked her for donations.
Related: Olive Cooke: poppy-seller's death raises charity hounding concernsRelated: Olive Cooke: poppy-seller's death raises charity hounding concerns
During a short hearing at Avon coroner’s court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol, on Wednesday, the issue was not raised.During a short hearing at Avon coroner’s court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol, on Wednesday, the issue was not raised.
Coroner’s officer Linda Grove told the hearing that Cooke, a widow and retired postal worker, was pronounced dead at 6.20pm on 6 May by a paramedic. Her body was formally identified by her grandson, Kevin King. “This lady had long term issues with periodic depression and low mood,” Grove said. The coroner’s officer Linda Grove told the hearing that Cooke, a widow and retired postal worker, was pronounced dead by a paramedic at 6.20pm on 6 May. Her body was formally identified by her grandson Kevin King.
Terence Moore, assistant coroner for Avon, said: “Having heard the traumatic circumstances of this death I do indeed open an inquest this morning upon the death of Olive Lilian Cooke.” A postmortem examination ascertained the cause of death as multiple injuries.
The inquest heard a postmortem examination on Cooke’s body ascertained the cause of death as multiple injuries. Terence Moore, assistant coroner for Avon, adjourned the hearing for a full inquest, which will take place on 16 July.
“I would like family to have the opportunity of writing a statement,” Moore added. “I understand there are a couple of notes left by Mrs Cooke which would need to be authenticated by a member of her family.” “I would like family to have the opportunity of writing a statement,” Moore said. “I understand there are a couple of notes left by Mrs Cooke which would need to be authenticated by a member of her family.”
Moore adjourned the hearing for a full inquest, which will take place at on 16 July.
Cooke began selling poppies in 1938 aged 16, having been inspired by her father who set up a Royal British Legion branch in Bedminster.Cooke began selling poppies in 1938 aged 16, having been inspired by her father who set up a Royal British Legion branch in Bedminster.
She devoted herself fully to the charity after husband Leslie Hussey-Yeo, a sailor in the Royal Navy, was killed in Italy in 1943, leaving her a war widow at the age of 21. She devoted herself fully to the charity after her husband, Leslie Hussey-Yeo, a sailor in the Royal Navy, was killed in Italy in 1943.
The grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two was a familiar face in Bristol and stood in the doorway of the city’s cathedral every year in the lead-up to Remembrance Day. The grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two was a familiar face in Bristol and stood in the doorway of the city’s cathedral every year in the runup to Remembrance Day.
Cooke’s MP, Labour’s Kerry McCarthy, has promised to speak with the Charities Commission about the barrage of letters and calls she received and the Institute of Fundraising Standards Committee said it will review the case. Cooke’s MP, Labour’s Kerry McCarthy, has promised to speak with the Charities Commission about the barrage of letters and calls she received, and the Institute of Fundraising Standards Committee has said it will review the case.
Her family hope to set up a fund in her name.Her family hope to set up a fund in her name.