Cookiefest is a sweet success in memory of fall victim Paul

A popular barman has been remembered by friends and family a year after he fell to his death from a Hemel Hempstead town centre rooftop.
Paul CookPaul Cook
Paul Cook

Paul Cook, known to all as ‘Cookie’, was just 24 when he fell from the top of B&M store in Hemel Hempstead town centre in September last year.

A memorial event held to mark what would have been his 26th birthday was held in the Old Red Lion pub in Nash Mills, and raised thousands of pounds in his name.

The funds will go towards homelessness support charity DENS, as his friends say he always did things for others.

Close friend of Paul’s and event organiser Sam Cordell told DENS: “The event was a great success with a wonderful turnout, true party atmosphere and some fantastic sounds.”

Sam also revealed that CookieFest raised more than £3,000 for the charity, which supports homeless people in Dacorum.

A spokesman for the charity said: “This donation will provide much needed funds for the vital integrated services offered by the charity.

“DENS are truly grateful to the organisers and supporters of CookieFest for this wonderful fundraising effort.”

Before the event a ‘warm up weekender’ was also held at Henry’s bar in Grovehill, featuring a sponsored wax and fundraising drive ahead of the festival itself, which took place on Saturday, September 20.

Melanie Parr of ‘Team Cookie’, helping to organise the event, said of Paul: “He was a popular man who lived for the moment and always wanted to see everyone enjoying themselves and so his family and friends rallied together to put on this day festival to honour him and have a day filled with activities fit for everyone to enjoy.”

The day featured host of family-friendly activities, including games, face painting, a bouncy castle and a balloon release. In the evening the festival turned into a grown-ups party featuring comedians, a UV silent disco, a silent auction and UV body painting.

Alongside the fundraising organiser also arranged a food drive and a donation point for festival-goers to donate any unwanted clothing or items which could be given on to those less fortunate.

The event was a sell-out and there are hopes CookieFest will be repeated next year.