FURTHER tributes have been paid to Asda community champion Julie Gary, whose funeral was held last week.

As previously reported by the Gazette, Julie, who was the community champion at Asda in Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, died on New Year’s Day after a stroke earlier in December 2016.

An Asda spokesman said this week: “Julie put her heart and soul into supporting the local community in Basingstoke and her bubbly personality and kindness went a long way.

“She was an asset to our store, not only as a community champion but also as a colleague and friend.

“She supported lots of charities and good causes in the local area and would always put others first.

“We will all miss her very much and our thoughts at this difficult time are with Julie’s family and friends.”

Julie won the Mayor’s Award in 2015 for her charity and community work from the then mayor Councillor Roger Gardiner.

Current mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Jane Frankum paid tribute, saying: “It’s difficult to find the words to describe Julie.

“It was a real privilege to know and have her as a friend.

“She was a piece of sunshine in a sometimes uncertain world.”

The funeral took place last Wednesday at Basingstoke Crematorium, where attendees donated to the suggested charities of Stroke UK, Sebastian’s Action Trust or Helping Hands for the Blind, all of which have a connection to Julie.

There is also a JustGiving page for anyone to donate to at: https://www.justgiving.

com/fundraising/NatalieGary