Bolton Community Kitchen's Gareth Bradbury dies aged 60

Tributes are pouring in for Gareth Bradbury, who founded Bolton Community Kitchen, a charity he set up more than 10 years ago.

Mr Bradbury founded the kitchen over 10 years ago to provide food and clothing to those who are homeless and living in hostels. 

The kitchen is based at Bolton Rugby Club, having had a number of bases in and around the town.

Mr Bradbury, who had heart issues, was admitted to hospital in December. 

He died on December 27. 

Gareth's stepson, Jay McNulty, said: "I had never had that male role model, but as soon as I met him, it was absolutely incredible. He is such an inspiration. 

Gareth Bradbury, who died aged 60

"If I am half the man he is, I am happy. With Bolton Community Kitchen, everyone saw what he did on the night, what he put into the chats and what he wanted to show, but for him it was a 24 hour thing. 

"Nothing was too much, if he could help someone he would. The best way to put it is the big man with the biggest heart. 

"It is still not sinking in, it is still fresh and raw. I know he is going to be missed by the community massively." 

He added: "You could ask him anything, if I didn't know something, I'd get straight on the phone and boom. His sense of humour, up until the end, he was winding people up, they would be cracking up. 

"He was well known at Bolton Hospital unfortunately, but all the nurses there loved him. He was the life and soul of every place. 

Gareth, bottom left, with volunteers
"He was the biggest male role model for me, he treated my mum like an absolute angel. 

"My sister, his daughters, his grandkids, he would never say no, he would always find that extra bit. He always had time for everybody." 

Gareth, who lived in Little Lever, leaves behind his partner, Tracy McNulty, his daughters Becca and Leah, his stepchildren Jay and Charlotte and his grandchildren Elsie, Grace and Leo. 

Jay added: "Some people will get it, some won't. His favourite saying was 'thanks for going', that is what he said at the hospital, at home, in the kitchen, 'thanks for going', that was his one thing I will personally never forget."

Franchesca Leece, a volunteer at the kitchen, said: "I have only known Gareth for the last 18-20 months, as I am quite new to the family at Bolton Community Kitchen. 

Gareth, bottom left, with volunteers

"He was such a big character, friendly and he was so generous in nature, always thinking about other people before himself." 

She told how he attended the annual Christmas party the kitchen puts on for its clients only two weeks before his death, despite being poorly. 

She said: "It was part of Gareth, to give our clients a really good night, with a party atmosphere before Christmas. It was always very important to him.

"He put the charity before himself all the time. A chap came into the centre, he was homeless and had nothing, we managed to sort him out with shelter, but he desperately needed shoes. 

Gareth Bradbury (Image: Public)

"He was a size 11 and Gareth was a size 11, so he gave him his own shoes. That is the sort of person Gareth was. 

"A couple of weeks before Christmas when he was poorly, but before he became particularly poorly, he was out visiting some of our usual customers. He came into the kitchen on Wednesday night. 

"A gentleman had been in hospital, so he went to visit them himself and gave out hats and clothing because they couldn't get out of the house." 

She added: "His catchphrase to everyone was 'thanks for going!', he always used to make us laugh. He was truly remarkable."