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Funeral for post office raid son Funeral for post office raid son
(about 2 hours later)
Mourners have been gathering for the funeral of the son of a village post office manager who was shot dead. Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of the son of a village post office manager who was shot dead.
Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, died in a raid at Fairfield Post Office and Stores, in Worcestershire, on 9 January.Craig Hodson-Walker, 29, died in a raid at Fairfield Post Office and Stores, in Worcestershire, on 9 January.
Hundreds of friends and family gathered at St Mark's Parish Church, on the same road as the post office. His family took part in a procession from the store to St Mark's Parish Church. The service was relayed to people in the village hall.
The service was also being relayed to people who were gathering in the village hall. A private cremation was expected to be held later in Redditch. Rev Barbara Mapley told the congregation that Mr Hodson-Walker had made a "big impact" on the village.
The Reverend Barbara Mapley, who was conducting the service, said the family wanted a funeral that reflected Mr Hodson-Walker's life. A private cremation was due to be held later in Redditch.
Mr Hodson-Walker's father, Ken, was shot in the leg during the raid on the premises.
Mr Hodson-Walker's fiancee Lisa Bundy, his brother James, mother Judy and his father, who arrived in a wheelchair, were among those who attended the funeral.
'Lives on'
Mr Hodson-Walker and Ms Bundy had got engaged at Christmas.
In the service, Ms Mapley said Mr Hodson-Walker was "constantly surrounded by love, and lives on in the hearts of those who will miss him so much".
She added: "He has gone on ahead of us far sooner than anyone imagined through that terrible deed, but his memory is treasured and he is safe in the arms of God and we give thanks for that." Craig Hodson-Walker had recently got engaged (Photo: Facebook)
She told the congregation Mr Hodson-Walker had been "so cheerful and helpful and willing to put himself out for others".
Ms Mapley added: "It was a family characteristic.
"Many people have shared with me anecdotes that reflect the positive influence that Craig had - probably that he was unaware of."
His family requested that any donations made in his memory should go to the RSPCA.His family requested that any donations made in his memory should go to the RSPCA.
Mr Hodson-Walker had got engaged at Christmas. Four men charged with murder, the attempted murder of Mr Hodson-Walker's father Ken, and attempted robbery, have been remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 10 July.
Four men charged with murder, the attempted murder of Mr Hodson-Walker's father Ken, and attempted robbery have been remanded in custody to appear again at Birmingham Crown Court on 10 July.