Andrew Strickley's funeral

Dove is in the air

By Vicky Wilks

South London Press

A COMMUNITY clubbed together to raise £3,000 for the funeral of a much-loved window cleaner.

The big-hearted Kennington residents marked Andrew Strickley's passing by releasing 41 doves into the sky outside his favourite pub.

The graceful birds took flight by The Little Apple on Kennington Lane on Tuesday, where the 41-year-old was a regular.

When Andrew - who had a brain tumour - passed away at King's College Hospital, friends were unable to track down any family members, so the community stepped in to help.

The funeral was also funded by the management board of the Penwith Manor estate where he used to clean windows.

About 150 people attended the funeral at West Norwood Cemetery after following a horse-drawn cortege from Kennington.

Rob Corlett, 56, chair of the Penwith Manor Estate Management Board, described how Andrew would clean the windows of disabled people who were not on his round because he wanted to help them out.

He added: "People recognised he had always been a friend for them. If they had ever been down on their luck, he rallied around. He was just that sort of personality."

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