A grieving widow left her hospital bed to say a final farewell to her husband Michael 'Pecker' Woodward who died after a workout.

Mr Woodward Mr Woodward, 38, from Overmead, Abingdon, suffered a brain haemorrhage after exercising at the Vale of White Horse Leisure and Tennis centre in Abingdon and died later in Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital.

His widow Sharon was flanked by her children Emily, 20, and Wayne, 17, at the funeral -- attended by more than 300 people at Trinity Church, in Conduit Road, on April 26.

Mrs Woodward, 36, has been in hospital since last August and has undergone a series of operations. She left the JR for the funeral and cremation service and later returned to hospital.

The service was conducted by the Rev Tim Dibble, from Didcot, who said tragic events had left a profound mark, lives were challenged and shaken to the ground.

"Michael was a true free spirit," he said. "A man with a huge sense of humour who loved life and people.

"He spread happiness and laughter -- a big Teddy Bear, and at over six-foot he was big.

"He loved inspiring people in the gym to enjoy their workouts and have fun. A room lit up in his presence. Energy levels changed. Michael spread laughter and good humour everywhere he went."

At the family's request, mourners were asked to make donations towards the cost of buying new equipment for the gym in Mr Woodward's memory.

His mother, Cynthia, of Saxton Road, Abingdon, said: "We thought that by buying equipment for the gym it would be a lasting memorial and also it would help others keep fit.

"Michael loved being at the gym. He was there several times a week and afterwards went for a swim."

Mr Woodward, a painter and decorator, was 6ft 4ins tall and weighed nearly 20 stone. He was known as the "genial giant of the gym". His mother said he knew he needed to lose weight and he had done very well by losing 45 lbs with Weight Watchers and keeping fit in the gym.

"We said if he lost two stones then we would buy his membership to the gym," she said.

"He lost the weight and we bought his membership and he went on to win the member of the month award. Michael enjoyed his time at the gym, but was under a lot of pressure visiting Sharon in hospital.

"He was worried about her health and I think this must have been a factor in his sudden and tragic death."