It is with great sadness we report that HRI theatre orderly Obe Morake sadly passed away and this week was buried in his homeland of South Africa.

Thanks to a huge fundraising effort from CHFT colleagues his family and three-year-old son Refentse were able to fly to the UK to spend Christmas with hime at his home in Holmfirth.

Obe had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and his colleagues - right across the Trust - started fundraising for money for flights and to make this Christmas a special one for Obe and his family.

A memorial service was held on Saturday at Holmfirth Methodist Church attended by colleagues. 

Close friend of Obe and his family Martyn Gothard, said: "We could not have done anything more or anything better for Obe so I can't send enough thanks to everyone at CHFT. I promised he would be laid to rest at home in South Africa and that is what we achieved for him."

Here's Martyn's  tribute and thanks - straight from the heart.

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you all that our dearest friend “Obe” passed away on 11th January. He was surrounded by his family, Maggie, his wife, Isaac, his father, Catherine his mother and his son Refentse.

Martyn, his friend and work colleague said,

“Obe made a great impact on so many people.

He will be an inspiration to many people. He was one of us. He was a big character in more ways than one. He was an athlete, a mentor, a professional, a true gentleman, a father, a husband, a son. To me ------- he was a friend.

Due to Obe`s illness I have met many different people from many different back grounds. I am proud to say I now have a new family.

On Monday 25th January Obe was taken home on the same flight as his parents. A traditional funeral will take place in Carltonville, South Africa, soon after he arrives. I am sure he will be in good hands.

For those of you at the memorial service last Saturday I don`t need to tell you how special it was. For those who could not be there it was one of those life moments I am proud to have witnessed. It will live in my memory for ever.

I would like to say thank you, to every single one of you, on behalf of his family for making certain things possible. Thank you for all your contributions that helped Obe go home to South Africa to visit before he became really unwell. For making it possible to bring his mother, father and son to Huddersfield for Christmas. For making it possible for the whole family to have presents and plenty of food on Christmas day. For all those visits to see Obe and all those little things that need to be carried out. For attending his memorial service last Saturday.

 And finally, for making it possible for Obe to be laid to rest in the land he was born.”

Thank you