A Milton Keynes church will be opening to the community on Friday to allow members of the community to spend time in prayer and reflection as the funeral of Leah Croucher takes place.
The Church of the Servant King in Furzton will be opening its doors to the public on Friday 3rd March between 10am and 1pm, to allow the community to spend time in prayer and reflection or to light a candle in Leah Croucher's memory.
Reverend Mike Morris, Vicar of Servant King Church: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Leah’s family and friends at this heart-breaking time. The Church of the Servant King will be open for quiet prayer and an opportunity to light a candle for anyone from the community.”
It comes as the funeral of Leah Croucher is due to take place this Friday. Leah's funeral will be a private family service, but a cortege will pass through Emerson Valley, Furzton, Shenley Brook End, Shenley Church End and Grange Farm for members of the public to pay their respects.
The funeral cortege will leave White Horse Drive, Emerson Valley at 10.50am and travel the 3.5 mile route shown in the image at the bottom of this article at a walking pace, arriving at approximately 11.50am.
Leah’s family have invited anyone from the local community who wishes to pay their respects to Leah to do so along the route of the procession. Only invited guests will be permitted to the private family service at the crematorium.
For those wishing to pay their respects along the route, please plan ahead and if you intend to drive, plan where you will park.
Parking will not be permitted on the grass verges of the V3, Fulmer Street and due to capacity, parking at the crematorium is restricted to those attending a service.
There are no road closures or additional parking restrictions planned for the day, however, police ask residents that are likely to be travelling in the areas of Emerson Valley, Shenley and Crownhill on Friday morning, to be mindful of the slow-moving funeral cortege that will be travelling along the V3, Fulmer Street and consider an alternative route if this will impact your journey.
The parents of Leah Croucher, John and Claire, announced the funeral details last month and thanked the community for its 'loving support'.
“This will be a service for Leah’s family and friends, and there is also a limit to the amount of guests we can have due to space and Health & Safety regulations.
“However, we would like to offer the opportunity to those of you who wish to pay your respects and say your very own private ‘goodbye’ to Leah as she goes on her final journey to the crematorium.
“Our request is not only for the people of Milton Keynes, but also for the media, to please at this very difficult time, respect our wishes for Leah’s funeral to be private," her parents said.
“A Just Giving page has been created as we would like to raise funds again for a charity that has supported us throughout this difficult time, Missing People, so that they continue their hugely valuable work.
“Should you wish to make a donation, as a mark of your respect for Leah, you can do so by visiting: In memory of Leah Croucher - JustGiving
“We close this message by once again thanking everybody, not only in Milton Keynes, but across the UK, for all your loving support, messages and sympathy.
“It truly has helped us through this enormously difficult time, and we are extremely grateful.”
