Funeral for London Bridge terror victim and Loxton nurse Kirsty Boden

UPDATED: SOUTH Australian nurse Kirsty Louise Boden, who died in the London terror attack, will be farewelled in her Riverland hometown on Monday.

FROM London to Loxton, the tragic death of South Australian woman Kirsty Boden in the London Bridge terror attack has shattered hearts and broken dreams.

As family and friends prepare to farewell the “Angel of London Bridge” in a funeral service in her Riverland home town on Monday, her caring and selfless nature will live on through charity fundraising.

An online fundraiser set up by Ms Boden’s British-based partner James ‘Jimbo’ Hodder has already attracted almost £14,000 in donations from around the world, smashing an initial £1000 target.

The money will go to charities selected by the family “which reflect Kirsty’s passions and interests” at a later date.

“I am drifting through a nightmare, but your kind donations and messages of support do help,” Mr Hodder wrote on the online fundraiser page.

“Thank you. Kirsty would be smiling.

“£13k!! - I can only say a simple message, but believe me it is heartfelt — thank you, thank you, thank you.”

The fundraiser was at £13,700 last night.

Ms Boden’s parents Christina and Ken Boden, brother Chris and Mr Hodder will be joined by relatives and friends for her funeral service at the Loxton Swimming Pool on Monday afternoon “to celebrate her life”.

The service will be followed by a walk to the cemetery, where the 28-year-old’s body will be laid to rest.

South Australian Kirsty Boden was killed in the terror attacks in London on June 3.

Kirsty Boden and her boyfriend James Hodder. Photo: Facebook

A heartbroken Mr Hodder has spoken to British media, detailing his anguish about the moment he learned of her death and fondly reminiscing of their time together.

He recalled how the “friendly and outgoing” nurse turned up on his London share house four years ago with nothing more than a suitcase.

“She arrived with a suitcase and a love of life,” Mr Hodder told the Gloucestershire Echo.

“I noticed her personality straight away. She just loved life and it wasn’t long before we were together. It all happened pretty quickly.”

They moved into a Hampstead flat and adopted a cat named Simon even though she suffered allergies.

“We loved going on long walks together and having dinner by the pond. We were very happy,” he said.

“She was very talented and loved taking care of people.

“When she first arrived in this country she struggled to get her Australian qualifications transferred for registration, but she persevered.”

Mr Hodder said his girlfriend was eating with friends at a restaurant next to where the van driven by three terrorists went into the wall.

“People were running the other way but before her friends could stop her, she ran up the stairway towards it all,” he said.

“Nobody was surprised because that’s the kind of person she was.

“As well as being friendly and outgoing, she was brave and selfless.

“There are no answers to some of the questions people ask but all I can say is that I am very, very proud of her and her actions that night.”

Ms Boden was hailed the “Angel of London Bridge” in the British press for her heroic efforts.

Mr Hodder said it was “the most harrowing experience” when he received a news alert about the London Bridge attack before he rang his girlfriend repeatedly until it was picked up by a policeman, who delivered his worst nightmare.

“My whole life has been ripped from under me and I don’t know what I am going to do,” he said.

The couple regularly visited Mr Hodder’s parents in Gloucestershire, Cotswolds, which was renowned for rolling hills and grasslands with medieval churches and villages.

“I think it was such a contrast for her. She was from a small rural town in (South) Australia which was very dry and arid,” he said.

“The Cotswolds countryside is green and lush and full of perfect little buildings.

“Her mum loves the idea of the English countryside and the Cotswolds fit in perfectly with what she imagines it to be like.”

London Bridge terror attack victim Kirsty Boden, of Loxton, pictured with partner James Hodder. Kirsty, a nurse, was killed when she went to the aid of others during the attack on June 3. Source: Facebook

Ms Boden was found near Southwark Cathedral, on Montague Close, with a stab wound to her chest.

She was one of eight people killed on June 3 when three attackers in a van ran down pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing revellers in nearby Borough Market.

Ms Boden’s death was felt keenly by the Loxton community, whose members paid tribute to a gifted academic, talented sportswoman and adventurous traveller.

A private funeral will be held for Brisbane woman Sara Zelenak, 21, who was also killed in the terror attack, at her old high school on Friday.

Tributes left at the Loxton sign for former resident Kirsty Boden, who died in the London terror attacks. Picture: Bianca De Marchi