Funeral funds appeal for local legend

In a very widely shared and read article published on this website last Friday, the sad and untimely death of a Huddersfield man, described as ‘a local legend’, was reported (read in full here).

Dale Scandling, from the Dalton area of the town was, on any independent view, a very popular figure. Known, almost universally, as ‘Scanny’, he was adored by his family, a familiar sight and popular in his trade as a groundworker, a great favourite in his local pub, The Dalton Hotel and in his wider circle of friends.

There have been hundreds of tributes on social media and similar numbers in phone calls and messages to the family.

But Scanny was not a wealthy man and his death came unexpectedly at a relatively young age. To give him the send-off so many want to see, his ex-partner Tracey McCafferty, the mother of two of his children, Nicky and Joe, has launched a fundraiser.

Joe was, of course, murdered in 1997 in an arson attack on his Aunt Debra’s house in Marsh, Huddersfield. Tracey and Scanny continued to campaign together for Justice for Joe, even after their live-in partnership ended.

For those wishing to contribute to Dale Scandling’s funeral fund please contact Beverley Gledhill at The Dalton in Huddersfield which was Scanny’s much loved ‘local’. Thank you.

The funeral will take place at Parkwood Crematorium, Elland on Monday 6th December, 2021 at 12 noon. Family flowers only. No dress code. Wake afterwards at the Dalton.

Tracey says that Scanny would also want everyone to also remember him in another way – and that is by signing the petition that calls for another police force to investigate Jo’s death. The family has, with every justification, completely lost confidence in West Yorkshire Police (read more here).

Page last updated at 2145hrs on Tuesday 9th November, 2021.

Corrections: Please let me know if there is a mistake in this article. I will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.

Right of reply: If you are mentioned in this article and disagree with it, please let me have your comments. Provided your response is not defamatory it will be added to the article.

Photo credit:

© Neil Wilby 2015-2021. Unauthorised use, or reproduction, of the material contained in this article, without permission from the author, is strictly prohibited. Extracts from, and links to, the article (or blog) may be used, provided that credit is given to Neil Wilby, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.