Hundreds of people lined the streets of Manchester to pay tribute after the sudden death of a hero firefighter from Powys.
Firefighters and members of the armed forces conducted a guard of honour for Francois Childs, known as Frankie, who died suddenly last month.
Frankie, 44, was raised in Powys by his parents Mike, who recently served as Mayor of Newtown, and Dolly. Along with his brothers Ricardo, Navid and Seriashe he attended Penygloddfa before going on to Llanidloes High School.
Mum Dolly described him as “very kind-hearted” and said you “would never see him without a smile on his face”.
Most recently he had been part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service at Broughton Community Fire Station, and in 2019 was given a commendation for his part in rescuing three children from a burning building in Salford.
Sarah Nattrass, Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Service Delivery, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our colleagues and share our heartfelt condolences with Frankie’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Frankie was part of our GMFRS family for more than six years as a much-loved member of Green Watch, Broughton, and he will be very sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues.”
After leaving school, Frankie studied in Manchester before joining the army as a reservist in the gun platoon of the Bury Fusiliers, while also working in banking.
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In 2018 he joined Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service becoming a “highly distinguished” officer serving in Broughton in Salford.
Frankie was particularly praised by the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) in his work volunteering in Care 4 Calais.
The charity supports the thousands of refugees and people seeking asylum across the UK and northern France.
Frankie was one of 12 officer who took part in aid efforts and the FBU wrote: "The charity could not provide this support without dedicated and caring people like Frankie.
“His support will not be forgotten by the FBU or by the many people his efforts undoubtedly helped contributed to making refugees lives better.”
Dolly said she knew he was “very well liked” but was moved by the sheer outpouring of support he received from his fellow officers, saying “they treated him like a brother”.
Several hundred were in attendance at the service for Frankie who all came to pay their respects for a highly respected colleague and friend.
Colleagues could not speak highly enough of him. One said: “It was a pleasure and a privilege knowing and serving with such a genuinely nice guy”
Another described Frankie as “a total gentleman and a true friend. He was the epitome of selfless commitment.”
Another added: “What a wonderful and beautiful person. An absolute privilege to have known and worked with Frankie.”
Chief fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Dave Russel said: “GMFRS is a family. Frankie will always remain part of our family.”
He is survived by his wife Sarah and two children.
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