Alan Henning, the Salford taxi driver who was killed by militants whilst on relief work in Syria in 2014 has been honoured with Freedom of the City.
The Father-of-two was honoured with the award last Friday (28 April) during a council meeting.
The Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys, said: “It is right that the city provides its highest of honours to Alan Henning who reached out to help people in need from all backgrounds. It is also fitting that we constantly remember Alan’s kindness and his humanity and what his life meant.”
Born and bred in Eccles, the taxi driver, known as ‘Gadge’ by friends, was deeply moved by the plight of innocent people in Syria during the brutal war and began to raise funds to help alleviate their suffering with aid.
Mr Henning was captured on his fourth aid mission to the country within minutes of arrival in December 2013 and was murdered in October 2014.
Cllr Humphreys continued: “We all should be grateful for people like Alan who put others before themselves. The Freedom of the City is highest honour the city council can give to an individual and Alan certainly fits that category. The Henning family accepted the Freedom of the City in honour of Alan and we will make sure that he is never forgotten. Thank you for all you did Alan.”
A permanent memorial garden to Alan was officially opened in Eccles in 2016 as a place where people can reflect and remember him.
The garden features a circular flower bed, planted with yellow flowers and plants, wooden sleepers painted yellow and two granite boulders bearing memorial plaques. The colour yellow was chosen to show the overwhelming love, support and remembrance to Alan Henning and his family that emerged in and around the communities of Eccles and Salford.
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