03.07.2008

Funeral of platform boss

The funeral of Keith Hunwick, managing director of Birtley-based ES Access Platforms took place yesterday.

Hunwick, 51, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, died last Thursday following his fight with cancer. Family and friends said a final farewell to him at the parish church of St Mary and St Cuthbert in Chester-le- Street.
Please register to see all images

A floral tribute on the back of one of the company's tranport vehicles

His mother, Jean, said: "He was very brave, working right until the end and fought his illness all the way."

Hunwick had a keen interest in machines and went on to educate himself, qualifying as an engineer. After initially working as a mechanic, he set up a window cleaning business with the help of his late father, Ronald.

The two then created an electrical services business and went into wagon operating, before buying a piece of land in Portobello, Birtley, to set up ES Access Platforms in 1982.

Over 25 years, he and his family built up the company into the one of the largest vehicle mounted aerial lift companies in the UK, with depots in Scotland and Leeds. He leaves behind second wife Bernadette and sons Ian, 26, Lee, 24, and Dean 29, who all work in the business.