Well known founding member of Burnley community group, councillor and hospice volunteer dies of Covid 19 related pneumonia

Community champion, former councillor and Pendleside Hospice volunteer Gary Frayling who has died of covid related pneumonia at the age of 62.

Gareth (Gary) Frayling was one of the founder members and vice chairman of the Thursby Gardens Community Action Group which is based in the former Colne Road library in Burnley.

Launched 12 years ago, the centre offers a range of services to residents from helping people find employment, housing and welfare related issues along with English and computer tuition.

Despite suffering from a range of health problems, Gary loved his work with the centre and he also served as a Labour councillor for the Bank Hall ward of Burnley for several years and was a volunteer at Pendleside Hospice.

He died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital after being admitted with a urinary tract infection five weeks ago. After receiving treatment there, he was transferred to the Pendle Community Hospital for rehabilitation.

But he was re-admitted to Blackburn after testing positive for coronavirus and he died there peacefully on Monday.

Paying tribute to his father, Gary's son Bradley said: "He was a very loving and caring man who would do anything for anyone, he loved his family and friends dearly.

"He was very well known in Burnley and Haverford west in Wales where he used to live. He loved to help people even though he had a lot of health problems himself."

A devoted fan of Burnley FC, Gary was a season ticket holder for many years even though Burnley was his adopted home.

Born in Aberdare, a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, Gary and his family relocated to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. Gary then moved to Burnley after he met his wife, Julie when she went to stay at her aunt's pub close to where he lived.

Romance blossomed and Gary eventually moved to Burnley and the couple were married in 1990. They later went on to have their only child, Bradley in 1995.

Gary spent several years working for his father-in-law William (Billy) Fallows, as a plasterer.

Later both Gary and Julie went to work at the former McBride's in Burnley. Gary was a supervisor in the blow moulding department and Julie worked on the production line as a charge hand.

Gary also leaves three brothers, Graham, Lyndon, Byron and two sisters, Cheryl and Jacqui, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.