First aid champion dies at 78

Edris Bracewell, a champion of first aid, who has died at the age of 78.

Mr Edris Bracewell, who spent all his life living in Trawden, joined the St John Ambulance Brigade when he was a child.

He was so enthusiastic about it that when the Colne branch of the charity was closed and amalgamated into a larger branch in 2000, Mr Bracewell set up the Colne First Aid Services.

Made up entirely of volunteers the first aiders attended events and functions in and around Colne and Nelson.

Mr Bracewell's daughter, Alison, said: "They were always on hand at the Colne Blues Festival and other events.

"My dad loved helping others and he set up the new branch because he did not want the people of Colne to miss out."

Throughout his life Mr Bracewell had a number of jobs and many people will remember him from his photographic shop which he ran in Leeds Road, Nelson, for several years, specialising in wedding and portrait shots.

Before his retirement Mr Bracewell was also a familiar face at local schools and companies where he ran first aid training courses.

He joined the Army at the age of 18 and served with the medical corps for two years in Germany.

On return to England he met his wife, Margaret, through the Independent Methodist Church and the couple married in 1967.

Mr Bracewell leaves his wife and daughter,a son Steven, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held next Wednesday (December 7th) at Skipton Crematorium at 1-20pm.