His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Patron of The Abbeyfield Society, led tributes to Major Richard Carr-Gomm OBE, Founder of The Abbeyfield Society and a champion of the lonely and vulnerable, at a Service of Thanksgiving at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday 29th April.
His Royal Highness, although unable to attend, sent the Tribute to be included in the Order of Service. He said, amongst other things that "the work inspired by Richard Carr-Gomm has helped many thousands of vulnerable people, young and old, lead happy, secure and fulfilled lives".
The Archbishop of York, the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Sentamu also sent a tribute in which he said Richard was "first and foremost a ‘people person’ – a man who liked to laugh, but who could be deeply affected by the plight of the poor. He was determined above all to help the lonely find friendship and support"
The Service, conducted by Canon Bruce Saunders, included tributes from Richard’s son, David Carr-Gomm and the Rt.Rev. Dr.Christopher Herbert, Patron of the Abbeyfield Society. There were readings by Richard’s daughter Harriet Carr-Gomm, Paul Allen, Chief Executive of the Abbeyfield Society and Gary Lashko, Chief Executive of Carr-Gomm. The Gemstones choir sang songs including "Something Inside so Strong" and an anthem ‘And I saw a new heaven’ was performed by the Southwark Cathedral Singers. The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards, Richard’s old regiment, played the Regimental March of the Coldstream Guards.
The Prince of Wales was represented at the Service by Sir Stephen Lamport. Amongst the many hundreds who joined Richard’s family in the congregation were two people who were amongst the first group of volunteers who helped found Abbeyfield in 1956 with Richard Carr-Gomm – Audrey Timmins and Jenny Bulteel (pictured below with Abbeyfield Chief Executive, Paul Allen). Also attending was the President of the Abbeyfield Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone, the Chairman of Abbeyfield Michael Staff, the Chairman of Abbeyfield International Allan Snowie, Abbeyfield Patrons Christopher Buxton, Geoffrey Palmer and Rt. Rev. Christopher Herbert, representatives of African Royalty and British aristocracy, plus friends, residents, staff and volunteers from Abbeyfield and the other charities Richard Carr-Gomm founded.
Download a copy of the Abbeyfielder Tribute to Richard Carr-Gomm