CHARITY fundraiser James Lewis was laid to rest yesterday as friends and family paid tribute to him at a short service in Oxford.

The 27-year-old from Farmoor, who suffered from muscular dystrophy, passed away on November 13. His funeral was held at The Friary in St Mary’s Road, Iffley.

Oxford Mail:

James Lewis

Mr Lewis spent much of his life raising money for muscular dystrophy charities and was the highest junior fundraiser at the 10km Oxford Town and Gown race for four years in succession.

The next four years, up to 2007, he won the Oxford Mail Challenge Cup for the highest adult fundraiser.

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Mourners, including his parents David and Lynn, yesterday wore Hawaiian shirts – Mr Lewis’s favourite item of clothing.

Helen and Douglas House hospice chaplain Stephen Harrison, who led the service, said: “James was always part of our carol service at Helen and Douglas house.

“He was always there with a bucket to get people to donate and perhaps he put his big wheelchair in the door to make sure people would not get away.

“He will be missed this Christmas.”

His fundraising work led him to meet several celebrities, including Simon Cowell, Jeremy Clarkson, Roger Daltrey, Johnny Vegas, Anneka Rice, Richard Hammond and Princess Anne.

Some of those famous faces adorned Mr Lewis’ coffin.

Mr Lewis’ best friend Steve Bamsey spoke of the time they had spent together as boys.

He said: “Every time I saw him you could guarantee he would have a smile on his face.

“Looking around the room you can see he touched so many people’s hearts.

“The way we always said goodbye to each other was ‘see you when I see you’, not knowing when we would see each other again but knowing that we would.

“See you when I see you, mate.”


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