Donkey man Len Thorne's funeral to be held on Blackheath (From News Shopper)

Donkey man Len Thorne's funeral to be held on Blackheath

2:41pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

A FUNERAL will be held on Blackheath for a man who led donkey rides there for decades.

Len Thorne passed away in July, aged 78, after 60 years of offering donkey rides on the heath.

However, because of the Olympics, his family have been unable to lay him to rest in the way he wanted until now.

His funeral will take place on the donkey pitch, just outside Greenwich Park on October 1 at 12pm before his burial at Charlton Cemetery.

His two oldest animals will be there and the pall bearers will be drawn from the boys who helped him over with his steeds over the years.

The family have asked for no flowers but any donations will go to either a memorial fund or towards keeping the donkeys on the heath.

Daughter Lorayne Ahmet said: "I hope many people will turn out to give him the send off he deserves as he gave generations of children great pleasure with the donkeys."

Email lorayne.aquilas@hotmail.co.uk for details.