SPALDING FAMILY TRAGEDY: Please wear a bright colour for Claire and Charlotte’s funeral service
Family and friends will gather at All Saints’ Church in Moulton on Tuesday for the funeral service of mother and daughter Claire and Charlotte Hart.
The much-loved mum and sister of Ryan and Luke Hart were killed in a shootings tragedy in a car park beside Spalding’s Castle Swimming Pool on Tuesday, July 19.
Husband and father Lance Hart (57) shot the two women before ending his own life as he turned the single-barrel weapon on himself.
The family tragedy sent shockwaves through South Holland and the nation
Luke (26) and Ryan (25) set up a memorial website for Claire (50) and Charlotte (19), inviting people to share memories of their mum and sister – as well as donate to the two animal lovers’ favourite charity, Wood Green Animal Shelters.
Donations so far have totalled £1,137.50 and donations made at Tuesday’s 10.30am service will also go to the animal charity.
The family say everyone is welcome to attend the service and have requested that people should, if possible, “wear smart clothing with some bright colour please”.
Charlotte, a former pupil at Spalding High School, was studying midwifery at Northampton University.
Her old school and former school friends were among the first to pay tribute.
In a statement, the school said of Charlotte: “She was an exemplary student in every way, who showed incredible kindness and empathy towards others. Charlotte had many close friends and her polite and caring nature endeared her to all who met her.”
Former Spalding High School headmaster Tim Clark, who was out of the country at the time of the tragedy, said this week: “It was a dreadful and unfathomable incident which I know has shocked us all. What a tragic waste.”
Claire had been working at Morrison’s supermarket in Pinchbeck and a two-minute silence was held there in her memory soon after her death.
A Morrison’s spokesman said: “Everyone at the store is shocked and saddened at the death of Claire who was an incredibly popular and valued member of the team.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
Claire and Charlotte touched many people’s lives and the depth of love in the community for them is evident in the comments left on Ryan and Luke’s Memorial to Claire and Charlotte Hart website – c.hart.muchloved.com
These include a comment from a friend, who said: “Claire made me feel so at home every time I came round and you accommodated for my every needs, your motherhood just shone right through.
“Charlotte brought laughter and smiles to everywhere she went and seeing her laugh would automatically set me off to join in on the giggle, you have been such an amazing best friend I will truly and deeply miss you. Shine extra bright in the sky at night so I know which star to look up to.”
Arrangements are by J Willson Funeral Directors, of Winsover Road, Spalding, who can receive donations for Wood Green Animal Shelters.
• Separate, unpublicised arrangements have been made by a different funeral director for Lance Hart.
Previously ...
UPDATED: Three dead in shooting at Spalding’s Castle Sports Complex
SPALDING SHOOTINGS: Coroner wants evidence on Lance Hart’s state of mind
SPALDING SHOOTINGS: Tributes to the three family members all killed
Thoughts with brothers left without sister, mum and dad after Spalding triple shooting
