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Hundreds of mourners have paid their respects at the funeral of Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David.

Services were led at St Catwg’s Church, in Gelligaer, and Thornhill Crematorium by Father Gary Powell.

Among the attendees were leading figures from Welsh politics, including First Minister Eluned Morgan, her predecessors Vaughan Gething and Mark Drakeford, as well as former Caerphilly MP Sir Wayne David and his successor Chris Evans MP.

South Wales East MSs Delyth Jewell and Natasha Asghar, of Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives respectively, paid their respects, alongside countless Senedd colleagues from across the political divide.

Caerphilly Council leader Sean Morgan was also there alongside other senior councillors from the Labour and Plaid Cymru groups.

Dr David’s partner, Cynon Valley MS Vikki Howells was also in attendance.

The congregation sang the hymns Calon Lân and Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, while Dr David’s sister, Siân, read the poem The Strength of the Mountain.

A eulogy was read out by Dr David’s lifelong friend, Dr Huw Brunt, who described him as having a “fervour to live life to the full” and spoke about his “mischievous” sense of humour.

Mr Gething, whose successful Welsh Labour leadership bid in March 2024 was backed by Dr David, spoke at the service in Cardiff, highlighting his many accomplishments in the Senedd – such as supporting better additional learning needs provision.

Sir Wayne, speaking at the Cardiff service, made reference to the long-running joke about Dr David being his son.

He told the congregation: “If he had been my son, I would have been extremely proud of him.”

It is understood Dr David took his own life at his home in Nelson after his body was found on the evening of Tuesday August 13 – the day before his 48th birthday.

An inquest into his death was opened at Gwent Coroners’ Court on Tuesday August 26 and was adjourned until April next year. A final cause of death has yet to be established.

“A devoted father”

In a statement released through Welsh Labour after the inquest was adjourned, Dr David’s family described him as a “devoted father”.

“It is clear from the very many messages we have received that Hefin was widely respected and held in genuine affection by the community he represented, and by those he worked with during his many years of public service.

“But more than this, Hefin was a devoted father who was adored by his daughters Caitlin and Holly, a much loved son to Wynne and Christine, a beloved brother to Siân, a brilliant uncle to Osian and Catrin, and a soulmate to his cherished partner Vikki.

“We are very grateful to all those who have reached out to us since Hefin’s passing, and ask now for privacy to grieve.”

A life serving his community

Having served Caerphilly in the Senedd over the last nine years, Hefin David’s role saw him touch the lives of countless people, organisations, and businesses across the area he so proudly represented.

Born in Caerphilly Miners’ Hospital, Hefin David grew up in Penpedairheol and attended Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed.

Growing up during the miners’ strike, Hefin had a regular upbringing flavoured with politics. Aged only five or six, he would deliver leaflets out campaigning with his father, Wynne David, a Labour councillor and headteacher of his primary school.

He studied at Cardiff University, where he earned degrees in economics and politics, and European policy. He also studied at the University of Wales in Newport, and the University of Gloucestershire, where he gained teaching qualifications.

He later worked as a senior lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he taught human resource management and professional practice. He also taught abroad in Germany, Greece, India, and China.

Hefin’s political career began in March 2007, when he won a by-election to represent the St Cattwg ward – a ward also represented by his father.

After a decade on the council, Hefin was elected to the then-National Assembly for Wales to represent the Caerphilly constituency in 2016 – succeeding Jeff Cuthbert, who stepped down at that election.

He was re-elected to the Senedd with an increased vote share in 2021.

In the Senedd, Hefin campaigned on many issues. He sided with leaseholders against ‘fleecehold’ estate management charges, particularly on the Cwm Calon estate near Ystrad Mynach.

He also championed rail transport improvements, support for people with Long Covid, and justice for the victims of the infected blood scandal.

Other areas he focused on during his time in the Welsh Parliament were employment and education. In 2023, he wrote a report for the Welsh Government looking into the relationships between education providers, industries, and employers, and ways to improve the transition between education and employment.

But most notably, he was a passionate advocate for people with autism and additional learning needs (ALN).

He had strong relationships with ALN community groups like Sparrows and Valley Daffodils, and had also been a governor at Trinity Fields School in Ystrad Mynach.

As the doting father of two girls – one of whom has autism – it meant this was a cause very close to his heart – and he worked tirelessly to make Wales a better place for people with autism and ALN, and their families.

More recently, he has worked as a Senedd commissioner with responsibility for finance. As part of that role, he pushed through the Senedd Commission’s £84m budget for 2025/26, which laid the groundwork for the Welsh Parliament’s expansion to 96 members next May.

It was a role Hefin took on with “diligence and skill”, according to the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, Elin Jones  – who paid tribute to him and said: “Hefin was particularly well-liked across the Senedd.”

That has certainly been reflected in the tributes that have poured in for him from across the political divide in Cardiff Bay.

He served in the Senedd alongside his partner Vikki Howells, who is the Labour MS for Cynon Valley.

He was also a friend to many within the Senedd, regardless of political beliefs, and considered himself a “critical friend” to the Welsh Government – unafraid to speak out against the party line where he felt it was needed.

While being a proud member of Welsh Labour, Hefin could form friendships across the political divide, and enjoyed friendly political duels with political rivals.

Away from politics, Hefin was a much loved and respected member of his community, and was a supporter of a variety of groups, organisations, and businesses up and down the constituency.

Some of these include Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr FM (YYFM), where he had his own podcast series – Caerffili’s Heroes – shining a light on various individuals and groups making a difference in the community.