Leeds family plant '˜fitting tribute' to father-of-two

The family of a father-of-two who lost his life after a battle with alcohol have used money raised at his funeral to help others with addictions.
Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson. Kevin's son Kieran Collinson is pictured with the spade.Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson. Kevin's son Kieran Collinson is pictured with the spade.
Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson. Kevin's son Kieran Collinson is pictured with the spade.

Kevin Collinson’s family have planted two fruit trees in his memory at the allotments used by alcohol and drug service Forward Leeds.

The allotments, on Woodhouse Moor, are tended by members of the service’s Grow Together group who are all in recovery from alcohol or drug misuse. Keen gardener Kevin, 52, died in September last year while on holiday in Crete. His partner Michelle O’Neill, 48, and their children Kieran, 28, and Rachael Collinson, 25, were at the allotments yesterday to plant the trees - a cherry and a pear - and unveil a plaque to celebrate his life.

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Michelle told the YEP she hopes the garden will be somewhere the family can go to remember Kevin and also for other service users to enjoy watching the trees grow.

Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson.Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson.
Tree planting in memory of Kevin Collinson.

“This is going to be somewhere we can come to watch them prosper. Kevin would have loved that. He loved his garden.”

She said Forward Leeds had been a great help to Kevin - especially key worker Helen Falkiner: “He absolutely adored her. He did stop drinking on occasions but he just loved to drink - that’s what he would say.”

She added: “If people’s health is in danger due to addiction, they should go forward and ask for help because it’s out there for them.

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“I can’t praise Forward Leeds enough. They have been fantastic.”

Kevin’s keyworker Helen said: “He was a really genuine, nice man - a good person to spend time with. It was very sad when he passed away. I think the tree planting is perfect - a fitting tribute to him.”

For more information on Forward Leeds, visit http://www.forwardleeds.co.uk

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