A FORMER veteran from Bournemouth who helped raised tens of thousands of pounds to help homeless veterans in Dorset off the streets has died at the age of 62.

Having passed his basic training, Chris Edwards, who lived in West Howe for 40 years, served for a year with The Royal Signals and was based at Blandford before he was medically discharged for a broken ankle ahead of his first tour.

A well-respected member of the Veterans Community, Chris died on Friday July 23 at Poole Hospital after a short battle with lung cancer.

His son Carl said: “My dad’s military career wasn’t the most impressive. He spent a year with the Royal Signals before he was medically discharged, so his veteran’s status isn’t too notable.

“But he got involved with the local veteran’s charity Helping Homeless Veterans UK. He helped them on the streets, and it really brought it out of him.

“It was a really selfless thing to do, and he really enjoyed going out into the community and doing his bit to make other people’s life that little bit better.”

Chris Edwards has helped raise many thousands of pounds for Homeless Veterans over four years and has fundraised at The Bournemouth Air Festival, Tescos Tower Park, Littledown Family Fun Day and many other local events as well as attending national fundraising events throughout the country.

Carl added: “He would fundraise at every moment he could. He had a home; he had a job, and he lived a good life, but he knew there were plenty of people out there that were less fortunate than him.

“He always said that no one who serves in then forces should be made to live on the streets.

“He didn’t feel as though he was a veteran, but he spent all the time he could when he came out the services helping veterans.”

Chris’ funeral took place next Monday August 2 at Woodland Crematorium near Lytchett Minster. After the family appealed for former servicemen to attend the funeral to help give him “an honourable goodbye”, around 20 military veterans attended the service.

He leaves behind his wife Sue, eight children and 21 grandchildren.

The family have also set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for Helping Homeless Veterans UK instead of flowers which are being provided by immediate family only.

CEO of the charity David Wood said: “Chris was passionate that no veteran who served in the armed forces should ever be homeless, and he always said that helping his fellow brothers and sisters in the veterans community gave him a new purpose in life and he felt part of such a large family.

“Chris was devoted to his wife Sue and his children and was always talking about them, and he made many new friends from his fundraising work.

“He has left a gaping hole in our voluntary group and will be deeply missed, and we will ensure that we keep his memory alive.”

To donate to the fundraising page, visit: https://bit.ly/3jNZ6pf