Patrick Laurance 1919 - 2008
A selection of media coverage following Patrick's death in January 2008

18 January 2008

Patrick Laurance, 88, died on 11 January following a minor hospital procedure in London.  Patrick and his wife, Joan, established the Family Holiday Association in 1975 and have worked ever since to help disadvantaged families access the benefits of a holiday away from home. 

 

Patrick's death was covered in a number of newspapers both national and local.  Here you can see his obituaries in the The Times and The Guardian.

 

		Read Patrick's obituary in The Times - click here
		Read The Guardian's online obituary -  click here   Listen here to the audio tibute that the we put together and the Guardian placed on the website

 

Patrick celebrated his 88th birthday in December. Over 250 mourners attended Patrick's funeral on Tuesday 22 January 2008 at the Golders Green Crematorium.

 

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MPs celebrate the life of Patrick Laurance

 

House of Commons Early Day Motion, 741

Gordon Marsden, MP for Blackpool South, put down the following EDM which has been signed so far by forty three MPs from all sides of the Commons.

MR PATRICK LAURANCE AND THE FAMILY HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION
That this House acknowledges with gratitude the life and work of Patrick Laurance, co-founder with his wife Joan, of the Family Holiday Association, which from humble beginnings in 1975 has grown to provide today over 1,600 disadvantaged families with short breaks to seaside towns in Britain every year; acknowledges also Patrick Laurance's tireless and selfless work as a volunteer for Dignity in Dying and other voluntary organisations; pays tribute to all those who support and assist the Family Holiday Association and its Director, John McDonald, as it advocates further extension of support for disadvantaged families to take holidays; and urges Government and other interested parties to examine favourably such ideas as a lasting tribute to Patrick Laurance's memory.

 

Click here to access the EDM on Parliament's web site.