Hundreds pay tribute to helicopter crash victimsThe Evening Telegraph - Peterborough TodayBy Tara Dundon
Published Date: 20 June 2007
Famous personalities from the world of football joined grieving family members to pay tribute to Phillip Carter and his son Andrew who died in a helicopter tragedy. The hallowed walls of Peterborough Cathedral reverberated to the famous operatic voice of Hayley Westenra singing Ave Maria as almost 700 people gathered at the memorial to businessman Phillip Carter (44) and his 17-year-old son Andrew.
Mr Carter and his son died when a helicopter bringing them home to Thornhaugh, near Peterborough, after they had watched their beloved Chelsea play Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League semi-final at Anfield, crashed into woodland.
A spokesperson on behalf of the Carter family said before the service: "Today is about celebrating the lives of two amazing men whom we all loved so much."It is a chance to share stories and remember how special Andrew and Phillip were.
"Famous sporting figures, including Chelsea FC's chief executive Peter Kenyon, joined in a moving service in which memories were shared, with people from all walks of life. They included Andrew's friends from Stamford School who paid tribute to their much-missed classmate. His friend Adam Humphreys played guitar as he sang a tribute song he had written for Andrew.
In an incredibly moving and personal tribute, Mrs Judith Carter who is bearing the burden of losing both her husband and her son, stood to read a passage written by Robert Louis Stevenson.The Dean of Peterborough The Very Rev Charles Taylor led the service while Canon Thomas Christie, the priest at Wansford, gave a reading.
The service's combination of loss mingled with the joy of two remarkable lives was captured in the beauty and purity of Miss Westenra's remarkable voice as she sang Ave Maria. Peterborough Cathedral Choir also sang an anthem and a song of hope, and the service included tributes from David Carter, from Carter & Carter Group PLC, and Jane Kearsey, on behalf of the Carter family.After the service, former Northern Ireland manager and English assistant manager Lawrie McMenemy said it was "totally impressive".
Mr McMenemy said: "I met Phil in a lift in Japan one day and had lunch with him and Andrew."Phil would let Andrew listen to the football talk for a while before he would tell him to get on with his studying.
"Mr McMenemy said that he took to Mr Carter straight away because of his "passion for life" and "great sense of humour".He added: "Andrew was a young man emulating his father's footsteps."The Stamford group were fabulous, they weren't reading from a script, they were reading from their hearts."A ceremony like this certainly brings home your priorities.
"The memorial service was also attended by Mr McMenemy's son Chris who once played for Southampton Football Club.Everyone at the ceremony was invited to make a donation to the Andrew and Phillip Carter Memorial Fund, which will support charitable causes which were close to the pair's hearts.The spokesman added: "We have established The Andrew and Phillip Carter Memorial Fund as a tribute to the two men.
"Andrew and Phillip were both involved in charitable projects and believed in actively helping others to fulfil their potential."In their memory, the fund will contribute towards causes that were close to their hearts, ensuring the continuation of their legacies.
"Peterborough businessman, and Mr Carter's close friend, Jon Waller (42) and experienced pilot Stephen Holdich (49) also perished in the crash on May 2.A memorial fund dedicated to the memory of Mr Waller has already raised more than £5,000 for charity.
"Mr McMenemy said that he took to Mr Carter straight away because of his "passion for life" and "great sense of humour".He added: "Andrew was a young man emulating his father's footsteps."The Stamford group were fabulous, they weren't reading from a script, they were reading from their hearts."A ceremony like this certainly brings home your priorities.
"The memorial service was also attended by Mr McMenemy's son Chris who once played for Southampton Football Club.Everyone at the ceremony was invited to make a donation to the Andrew and Phillip Carter Memorial Fund, which will support charitable causes which were close to the pair's hearts.The spokesman added: "We have established The Andrew and Phillip Carter Memorial Fund as a tribute to the two men.
"Andrew and Phillip were both involved in charitable projects and believed in actively helping others to fulfil their potential."In their memory, the fund will contribute towards causes that were close to their hearts, ensuring the continuation of their legacies.
"Peterborough businessman, and Mr Carter's close friend, Jon Waller (42) and experienced pilot Stephen Holdich (49) also perished in the crash on May 2.A memorial fund dedicated to the memory of Mr Waller has already raised more than £5,000 for charity.
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