THE grieving family of a Swindon-born journalist who died suddenly earlier this year are holding a remembrance service to celebrate her life and achievements.

Loved ones of 40-year-old ex-BBC presenter Kelly Jobanputra will come together to reminisce about fond memories, tell stories, and remember all she accomplished during a life that was tragically cut short.

Kelly’s father John Stooke, 72, said: “We want to make this day part of a package of memories that Kelly’s children will treasure as they grow up.

"In this regard, we want people to wear spring colours rather than black, come along to enjoy the music and some stories, and perhaps join the family afterwards at the Goddard Arms.

“Mya tells us purple washer mum’s favourite colour. Kishan will not get to know his mother so this recorded service will help him understand the love and esteem in which Kelly was held.

"It will be a memorial which is open to all who knew her or who empathised with her struggle. In some ways, this is an especially poignant reminder of just why this is a national mental health awareness month.”

The service at Christ Church will begin at 2.30pm on Thursday before moving to the Goddard Arms. Donations to child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish are encouraged instead of flowers.

The family say the service as child-friendly and, while some expression of grief will be unavoidable, the intention is to hold as bright and welcoming a celebration of her life as possible.

Kelly died on April 26 after being hit by a train around 3pm on the railway line between Swindon and Didcot Parkway.

She was well known and popular in media circles and spent 15 years presenting on local BBC radio stations before heading to London to produce a daytime show for Radio 6 Music.

Better known at the time under her maiden name of Kelly Stooke, which she often used as a byline even after she got married, she regularly wrote reviews for the Adver and freelanced for the website 365 Bristol.

Kelly also wrote on Swindon Web as the Mum About Town, briefly presented a show on Ujima FM Radio in Bristol, and worked in the marketing group at the British Computing Society before her death.

According to relatives, she was planning to consolidate some of her projects through the fledgling KMAJ Media company.

Donate by visiting winstonswish.org/donate, texting TRIBE10£10 to 70070, or using the donation bucket at the service.