A Big Man with a Big Heart

Colin Gardner who died yesterday after a brave battle against a brain tumour was a big man with a big heart.

I first met him on my first day as The Citizen editor eight years ago. I had gone to the Spring Centre in Quedgeley and met Colin who was one of the children’s charity’s greatest supporters. He gave me a GloucesterCity tie that day which I still have.

Singlehandedly, he has raised well over £1 million for charities over the years and he has been an absolute giant in supporting local football—first with Gloucester City and latterly with Forest Green Rovers. He put his money where his mouth in with both of these teams and there has probably not been a more generous man to county football.

Colin’s wife, Clare, was always by his side at those charity events he loved and which were so successful and his MBE awarded for services to charity in 2006 could not have been more well deserved.

Colin Gardner had a very successful security business which he sold and devoted the rest of his life to supporting local football and local charities. Gloucestershire will be all the poorer without this gentle giant with a heart of gold and so many friends.

RIP Colin.

Ian Mean

Editor

The Citizen