Hundreds line streets to say farewell to firefighter Danny Granger
Hundreds lined the streets to say goodbye to Cottenham firefighter Danny Granger yesterday (Tuesday, March 16).
Colleagues from across the fire and rescue service joined Danny’s family and friends in paying tribute to the much-loved firefighter.
Danny’s final journey began at Cottenham fire station, where he had been an on-call firefighter for nearly 22 years and colleagues described him as the “life and soul of the station”.
The bells went down at the fire station and firefighters and officers formed a guard of honour as the hearse pulled away from the station. The crew then joined the procession in two fire engines.
One mourner said: “A lot of people lined the streets to see Danny off in his final journey and we were handed out tulips to throw and people clapped. It was very sad but a lovely send off for a great man, who was gone far too soon.”
Danny, 52, died after a four-week battle with Covid-19 on Thursday, February 11.
The cortege drove to Cambridge fire station where firefighters stood to attention outside. The cars briefly stopped to allow a floral tribute to be added to the hearse, spelling ‘CFRS’ for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The procession then passed by Sawston fire station where Sawston and Linton crews lined up outside to pay their last respects.
From Sawston, the procession continued to Great Chesterford crematorium where Danny’s colleagues from Cottenham fire station carried his coffin past a final guard of honour and into the chapel of rest.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: “Today was a fitting tribute for a much-loved, larger than life, and well-respected colleague who had dedicated 22 years of his life to helping others and protecting his local community.
“It was an incredibly difficult day for many in the service today, particularly Danny’s colleagues at Cottenham fire station, but he would have been incredibly proud of them, as I am, for the part they played today, and for the support they, and others in our service, have given Danny’s family, who are still very much in our thoughts.”
Donations were collected for The Fire Fighters Charity.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so in Danny’s name through the charity’s website firefighterscharity.org.uk.
A GoFundMe page set up in Danny’s honour has so far raised £6,351.
Danny is survived by his mother, Margaret, sister Katie and brother-in-law Mel.
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Tributes to kind-hearted Cottenham firefighter Danny Granger after he dies from Covid-19
