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Community rally to give Pontlottyn RAF veteran a ‘funeral he deserves’ with a little help from Michael Sheen

News | Gareth Hill | Published: 16:38, Friday November 6th, 2015.
Last updated: 16:30, Tuesday November 10th, 2015

RIP: Gerald Sullivan with Matthew Wheaton's children, Troy and Kayla
RIP: Gerald Sullivan with Matthew Wheaton’s children, Troy and Kayla

Friends and neighbours of an RAF veteran from Pontlottyn are raising money for his funeral after he died aged 80 with no family.

Gerald Sullivan passed away on October 27 with no means of a funeral, but his next of kin, Matthew Wheaton is aiming to give him the “send of he deserves”.

Mr Wheaton, from Rhymney, has set up a Go Fund Me page, to which actor Michael Sheen donated £500.

Mr Wheaton said: “It was a big shock this morning when I saw Michael Sheen had donated so much.

“He must be a great guy to go out and pay £500, that’s brilliant.

“I met Gerald 17 years ago and have viewed as an uncle ever since.

“He went into hospital and a fortnight later he died of pneumonia. It was quite a shock as he’ was quite healthy although he couldn’t get around very well over the past year.

“We are need of help your help to raise funds for the interment fee of £1,646 so that we can get his funeral booked with the council.

“We just don’t have the money otherwise we would cover the funeral, but I couldn’t believe the difference the Go Fund Me page has made. It’s a great help.”

VETERAN: Gerald Sullivan served in the RAF in the 1950s.
VETERAN: Gerald Sullivan served in the RAF in the 1950s.

Mr Sullivan served in the RAF during the 1950s and Mr Wheaton was hoping to hold the funeral on Remembrance Day, although unfortunately the money could not be found in time.

Generous well-wishers have already donated £1,000 to the cause, and the Dave Green Memorial Fund has pledged another £500.

The fund was set up to save Mr Green, who successfully campaigned against the Nant Llesg Opencast mine, from a paupers funeral and has been continued to help those in need.

Michale Sheen donated to the fund after meeting Mr Green while making a documentary on grassroots democracy in South Wales.

Eddy Blanche, who helped set up the fund said: “As far as we are concerned it’s situations like this that the fund was set up for so we are more than happy to help in any way we can.”

Visit the Go Fund Me page set up for Mr Sullivan for more information and to donate towards his funeral.

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