Service of thanksgiving held in memory of Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks (From Croydon Guardian)

Labour leader Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman attend memorial service for Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks

1:30pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Senior politicians, family, friends and colleagues of Malcolm Wicks attended a service of thanksgiving for his life today.

It was standing room only at Croydon Minster, as hundreds of people gathered to remember the Croydon North MP, who died on September 29, after losing his battle with cancer.

A married father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven, Mr Wicks had represented Croydon since 1992 and lived in the borough for 30 years.

His widow Margaret and children Roger, Caroline and Sarah attended the service, which the Reverend Canon Colin Boswell, revealed Mr Wicks had planned himself after his diagnosis.

Labour leader Ed Miliband, deputy leader Harriet Harman and former home secretary David Blunkett were also in attendance.

It was announced this week Mr Wicks will be posthumously granted freedom of the borough.

The decision to make the 65-year-old Freeman of Croydon, was announced by Councillor Mike Fisher and Councillor Tony Newman at the full council meeting on Monday.

Frank Field MP paid tribute to Mr Wicks during the service, describing him as "very remarkable."

He spoke of Mr Wicks humility and gentleness and said "he faced his illness with dignity and courage."

The London Mozart Players also performed during the hour-long service, and many of Mr Wicks' supporters wore campaign stickers bearing his name in his memory.

Mr Wicks friend Tony Hall, also remembered his friend. He said: "He loved his constituency and everyone in it.

"When I campaigned with him I was surprised, not only did everyone know him, but he knew everybody by name."