Double heartbreak

David Foulkes victim of the London bombs

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THE parents of London 7/7 bombings victim David Foulkes suffered double heartbreak today as they were unable to visit the capital for special services to mark the tenth anniversary of the tragedy.

David, from Austerlands, was 22 when he died after terrorist Mohammed Saddique Khan blew himself up at Edgware Road Tube Station on July 7, 2005. David was standing next to him, and was one of six people to die at the station - who were among 52 who died in four separate attacks of the Tube and a bus.

A full day of events was taking place in London today, but David’s father Graham — who has become one of the leading campaigners for the July 7 families — suffered a heart problem five weeks ago while walking in the Lake District. Open-heart surgery in late June left him unfit to travel to London. Janet, David’s mum, stayed at home with him while David’s sister Jill, joined other family members in London.

Graham said: “It’s a very special day for us and we are not able to be there. We really are very sad about that.”

Janet said: “We are close to a number of other families who lost people in the bombings and we can relate to one another and that gives us a special bond. It will be hard not being part of that this time.”

Graham and Janet were instead set to visit David’s grave at St Anne’s Church, Lydgate.

David, a former Hulme Grammar pupil, was in London that day for a meeting at the Guardian newspaper, for which he worked in Manchester as a sales manager.

His parents yesterday confirmed he remains a big part of the family: “We think about David and talk about David every single day,” said Graham. “We keep him alive in our lives. We talk to our grandchildren about him and they come with us to his grave. Though he has been dead for 10 years he is still very much part of our everyday life.”

Janet said: “We go to his grave a lot and there is a comfort in doing it.”


GRAHAM and Janet Foulkes say their thoughts are currently with the families of those killed in the terrorist attack in Tunisia. They have urged people not to blame Muslims.

The parents of David Foulkes have paid their respects to the victims of the horror attack, in which a gunman opened fire on holidaymakers on a beach in the resort of Sousse.

Graham said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Janet added: “It is truly horrible what has happened. We know exactly what people are going through. We lost David but some people have lost their entire family. It is horrific that people are just going to work like David or just going on holiday and are killed. They are picking on easy targets.”