Crawley Pride 2021: Sister proud as Crawley LGBTQU+ honour Hannah at Pride festival

But for Diane Tomlinson it was particularly poignant. In March 2020, her sister Hannah Marshall died.

Hannah worked for Crawley Council had two children - Jenson and Elsie and was married to Fi Marshall.

And Crawley Pride honoured Hannah with a special tribute over the weekend.

Diane said: “She would help people out all the time and never showed that their was a problem so when she took her life it was a big shock.

“Hannah was known by may people in Crawley as we moved to the area in November 2000 when she was only 14 years old.

“I’m very proud that she was honoured at Pride it really meant a lot to us and so many.

“It’s just sad she could bot be here, even my dad would have loved to have been their but he sadly passed from covid in January 2021.

“I felt that the event went really well, we enjoyed it and so did my children and my sisters and her children. We are really hoping that this can be done again and be a lot bigger next year.

“It was nice to get out and enjoy been with other people and making new friends, also to see that their is alot of support out their for others also.

“I just want to say a big thank you to the LGBTQU community we love you and thank you for your support, you all are amazing xx.”

You can see this story in our 8-page Crawley Pride special in this week's Crawley Observer - out to buy on Wednesday.

See our Crawley Pride picture galleries here:

39 more pictures of the first ever Crawley Pride - by Jon Rigby

Crawley Pride 2021: Thousands attend first ever Pride event - picture special

38 pictures from the first ever Crawley Pride event

Crawley Pride 2021: Family Pride day a huge success - picture special