THE funeral of the founder and managing director of Hays Travel, John Hays will be taking place today.
This morning, people are expected to line the streets of Sunderland to pay their respects, as the cortege makes its way across the city.
Mr Hays, who was married to wife and Hays Travel co-owner, Irene Hays, suddenly died after collapsing at the firm's Sunderland head office on Friday, November 13.
At the time, thousands of tributes poured in for a "champion and legend" of the North-East from people far and wide.
Today, the cortege will travel over the Wearmouth Bridge and then along St Mary's Boulevard in the city centre.
A statement from Hays Travel said: "We would ask anyone wishing to pay their respects to John Hays of Hays Travel tomorrow to do so as the cortege travels across Wearmouth Bridge at 9.40am or along St Mary's Boulevard at 9.45am and to please observe social distancing."
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