FAMILY and friends of a much-loved champion of Wyre Forest young people bid a fond farewell to him this week.

A service of thanksgiving and celebration of the life of Mark Woodward was held at St Mary’s Church in Kidderminster on Monday (April 24).

Former paramedic Mr Woodward, aged 55, died suddenly at his home on the Spennells estate on March 26.

But he was also known for the tireless work he did for young people in the district and was a key figure in the Kidderminster & district Scout movement for 15 years.

Monday’s service saw the church packed with family, friends and colleagues and focused on his work with the scouts and his paramedic career.

Representatives from both organisations formed a guard of honour outside St Mary’s as his coffin was brought in.

The hearse was also accompanied by motorcycle outriders, made up of people Mr Woodward worked with to arrange the scouts’ annual St George’s Day parade, as it made its way to the church.

In his reading, long-time friend and former Kidderminster & District Scout Commissioner Dave Denton paid tribute to Mr Woodward’s scouting achievements.

Minister Rev Rose Lawley read out poignant memories of him from colleagues in the ambulance service, where he worked for 27 years.

She described him as a “larger than life” character and added: “He was a very special man taken far too soon.”