COLIN Gardner MBE was a 'generous and selfless' man and 'huge influence' to all who knew him.

The Rev Chris Collingwood paid tribute to the former Forest Green and Gloucester City chairman as hundreds gathered for a service of thanksgiving yesterday, Tuesday, at Holy Trinity Church in Minchinhampton.

Among those attending were former MP and current FGR chairman David Drew, ex FGR chairman Trevor Horsley and FGR manager Dave Hockaday.

Mr Gardner, 69, sadly lost his brave two-year fight against a brain tumour on Saturday, July 3 and passed away peacefully at his Minchinhampton home.

The service was a celebration of Mr Gardner's life as he had told family and friends that he did not want to be mourned.

His friend Robert Thomas read out tributes left to Mr Gardner, who he described as a keen sportsman and a self-made millionaire.

One said: "He was a great man and a true gentleman."

Another read: "Colin you have made such a difference to this world."

Mr Thomas spoke about how Mr Gardner and his wife Clare made a 'formidable pair' when it came to fundraising.

They held many charity evenings, auctions and bingo nights to raise money for good causes.

In 2006, Mr Gardner received an MBE from Princess Anne after raising more than £1 million for charity.

Mr Thomas said he remembered Mr Gardner reading the local newspaper and impulsively deciding to fundraise for a good cause.

"His aim was to help local people - right to the very end and to the last breath he was still helping to raise money," he said.

Beneficiaries included the Meningitis Trust, the Spring Centre in Quedgeley, and those who attended the service were asked to donate to Minchinhampton Surgery Charitable Trust, which hopes to raise enough money for a new doctors' surgery in the town.

Mr Gardner was born in Taunton in 1941 and moved to Gloucester to work in security for Debenhams.

In 1988 he began his own business, Gardner Security, which was a great success and in 1999 sold it for a huge profit.

Mr Thomas said: "Colin wanted to be remembered for putting more into life than he took out - he was one of life's givers."

Mr Gardner is survived by wife Clare, children Rick, Shane and Cindy and 10 grandchildren.

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