Tributes paid to man who brought community together for Christmas

Matthew Sandbrook has died following a lengthy battle with cancer.

The father-of-three from Warndon was given just months to live when diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, prompting hundreds of people to take part in an early Christmas party.

Matthew died on Friday, November 18, over a year on from the festive celebrations.

A Facebook post from his family read: "With a broken heart I must inform you all of the Passing Matthew Sandbrook.

"The world lost a very precious kind loving funny hard-working family man taken from us too soon he will be sadly missed and always in our hearts.

"He was so brave fighting this glioblastoma brain cancer for such a long time.

"Thank you for all your support over the last 14 months helping create precious time and memories together."

Early Christmas celebrations outside Matthew's home (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Hundreds turn out to give seriously ill dad-of-three early Christmas surprise

More than 200 people met up at the green near Rodborough Close on October 6 of last year, before making their way towards Matthew's home.

Crowds sang Ben E King's Stand By Me as Matthew, his wife Rebecca and their three sons Connor, Kyle and Tyler came out of the house to join in with some popular Christmas songs.

"On cloud nine with what's happened today," Matthew said at the time.

"You spend years and years thinking you're on your own and all this happens in such a short space of time."

Matthew's cousin Nikki Lee, who organised the event, added: “He loves Christmas and when we found out he would probably not make it this year, we thought we’d just have to bring Christmas forward.

“It was an amazing, emotional, heartwarming night which gives you such faith in humanity.

“There were so many people there, some who didn’t even know Matty but had read about his story on Facebook and wanted to show their support.”

Matthew and Rebecca Sandbrook and their children (Image: Rebecca Sandbrook)

Matthew's funeral will be held at Worcester Crematorium at 2.15pm on Friday, December 9, with a wake taking place at the New Chequers in Rainbow Hill.

Anyone wishing to attend is asked to meet by the entrance to crematorium, where friends and family will walk behind the car, which will be playing Stand By Me.

Matthew's wife Rebecca has asked that instead of bringing flowers, people contribute to the donation boxes for St Richard's Hospice at the funeral service. 

She said: "I would like to thank all of the staff, doctors, nurses and volunteer workers at St Richard's Hospice for the care they gave Matthew and myself over the last month."