The family of Andrea Waddell, who was murdered in her Brighton home on 15 October 2009, gathered at the Quaker Centre on 26 February to present a cheque in Andrea’s memory for £1235 to the Lord Dowding Fund.

 Sonia Waddell of Reading Meeting, a long-serving member on the committee of Quaker Concern for Animals (QCA) said, “Our daughter was described by friends as intellectual, rebellious, daring, glamorous and funny – and she was passionate about animal rights. Andrea was also vitally interested in and caring of people, always wanting to help someone who was disadvantaged in life. It was a very moving little ceremony, and we know Andrea would have been thrilled at this support for one of her favourite causes.”

 Andrea, 29, suffered greatly over many years with a range of serious health problems. She showed characteristic courage in continuing to live life adventurously and fully, graduating in Philosophy from the University of Durham and gaining an MA in Social and Political Thought at the University of Sussex.

 Sonia, together with Andrea’s father Robin and brother Nick, thought it fitting that the collection at Andrea’s funeral be in aid of the Lord Dowding Fund. The Fund’s objectives are to support, sponsor and fund better methods of scientific and medical research, without the use of animals. The family will continue to raise funds for Lord Dowding in Andrea’s name.

Sonia added: “Andrea’s life challenges us all to live for the moment, bravely following our own moral codes and standing up for what we believe in.”

 The presentation was also attended by QCA committee members Viktoria Nealis and Unitarian Minister Feargus O’Connor, who officiated at Andrea’s funeral. Jessamy Korotoga represented the Lord Dowding Fund.

 Ann Johnson and Viktoria Nealis, Committee Quaker Concern for Animals

Back row, from left: Feargus O’Connor, Nick Waddell, Jessamy Korotoga. Front row: Sonia and Robin Waddell with a photograph of their daughter Andrea.