THE funeral of much-missed Christopher Colegate, killed by a callous hit and run driver, is being held on Friday.

The 69-year-old Poole grandfather was discovered lying seriously injured on a road in Oakdale on December 13 and despite heartfelt pleas from his distraught family, the driver has not been caught.

A funeral service for Mr Colegate, whose wife, children and grandchildren struggled through Christmas without him, will be held at Poole Crematorium on Friday, January 24 at 10am.

The disabled pensioner was “suddenly and tragically taken from us” said the funeral notice in the Daily Echo.

“Loving husband to Freda, beloved dad of Natasha and Rachel and wonderful grandpa of Eloise, Jack, Harri and Arthur. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all his family and friends.”

His family has desired family flowers only and donations to the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society through Tapper Funeral Service.

Mr Colegate was on his way to Oakdale Conservative Club on Friday, December 13 but was found seriously injured at the junction of Darby’s Lane and Heath Avenue at 7.25pm.

Four weeks after the tragedy his wife Freda and daughters Natasha Motton and Rachel Hayward appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.

“It’s as if someone has stopped the clocks and we are all waiting for him to walk back in,” said Freda.

“He was a real character, very outgoing. We would have been married 48 years in March.”

Appealing to the driver or anyone with information, Natasha said: “Think about how everyone is feeling.

“We are never going to move on, it’s never going to stop hurting.”

Rachel said: “Somebody must know. If they are a partner or someone living with someone who might be acting a bit different, tell the police.”

Contact Dorset Police on 101 with any information or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.