This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lancashire/6281135.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Funeral held for charity worker | Funeral held for charity worker |
(10 minutes later) | |
A moving funeral for a British charity worker who was murdered while working in India has been held. | A moving funeral for a British charity worker who was murdered while working in India has been held. |
The body of Swansea University graduate Michael Blakey, 23, from Burnley, was found in Dharamsala in November 2006. | The body of Swansea University graduate Michael Blakey, 23, from Burnley, was found in Dharamsala in November 2006. |
He was found with severe injuries to his head and face in a gully near a church where he had been a member. | He was found with severe injuries to his head and face in a gully near a church where he had been a member. |
On Saturday, mourners at St John the Evangelist Church in the village of Worsthorne heard him described as a "genuinely remarkable young man". | On Saturday, mourners at St John the Evangelist Church in the village of Worsthorne heard him described as a "genuinely remarkable young man". |
Mr Blakey had been in India for five months working with the Tong-Len Charitable Trust, helping refugees. | Mr Blakey had been in India for five months working with the Tong-Len Charitable Trust, helping refugees. |
His parents, Paul Blakey and Mary Whitford, looked on as Anna Owen, the director of the charity, gave a eulogy. | His parents, Paul Blakey and Mary Whitford, looked on as Anna Owen, the director of the charity, gave a eulogy. |
He was a remarkable young man, full of great qualities, compassionate and caring, fun and musical Reverend Richard Hall | He was a remarkable young man, full of great qualities, compassionate and caring, fun and musical Reverend Richard Hall |
Mrs Owen said Mr Blakey had "more essential goodness than any young man I have ever met". | Mrs Owen said Mr Blakey had "more essential goodness than any young man I have ever met". |
Many of Mr Blakey's friends from Swansea, where he lived before he went to India, were in tears at the service. | Many of Mr Blakey's friends from Swansea, where he lived before he went to India, were in tears at the service. |
His cousin Andrew Mews said he had a, "thirst for life" and was passionate about his beliefs. | His cousin Andrew Mews said he had a, "thirst for life" and was passionate about his beliefs. |
Mourners sang the traditional hymn, Jerusalem, and Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton. | Mourners sang the traditional hymn, Jerusalem, and Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton. |
After the service, family and friends travelled to Burnley Crematorium for a second, private service. | After the service, family and friends travelled to Burnley Crematorium for a second, private service. |
Reverend Richard Hall, Michael's chaplain at Swansea University, said: "He was a remarkable young man, full of great qualities, compassionate and caring, fun and musical. | Reverend Richard Hall, Michael's chaplain at Swansea University, said: "He was a remarkable young man, full of great qualities, compassionate and caring, fun and musical. |
"He was absolutely dedicated to the cause of justice for the world's poor." | "He was absolutely dedicated to the cause of justice for the world's poor." |
Phone traced | Phone traced |
Mr Blakey had been in India for five months before his battered body was found in November. He had not been seen for three days. | Mr Blakey had been in India for five months before his battered body was found in November. He had not been seen for three days. |
Police in India believe robbery was the motive for the killing because his mobile phone and credit cards were stolen at the time of the attack. | Police in India believe robbery was the motive for the killing because his mobile phone and credit cards were stolen at the time of the attack. |
His phone was later traced to a shop in the city of Ludhiana in the Punjab region. A local man was questioned but later released. | His phone was later traced to a shop in the city of Ludhiana in the Punjab region. A local man was questioned but later released. |
Dharamsala lies at the foot of the Himalayas and is the long-term home of the Dalai Lama and is the centre of India's large Tibetan community. | Dharamsala lies at the foot of the Himalayas and is the long-term home of the Dalai Lama and is the centre of India's large Tibetan community. |