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Australian nurse killed in London terrorist attack farewelled

Hundreds of people have turned out for the funeral of Australian nurse Kirsty Boden who was killed in a terrorist attack at London Bridge earlier this month.

The 28-year-old from Loxton, a small Riverland town on the banks of the Murray River in South Australia, ran towards the injured and dying after a white van ploughed into people on London Bridge, despite terrorists using knives to attack people.

A coronial inquest found she was stabbed in the chest.

Eight people were murdered and 48 were injured in the attack by Islamists.

Ms Boden had been in London working at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital close to where the attack happened.

Her father Ken Boden told the gathering his daughter gave everything 110 per cent.

“She was happy in London, she loved her life, she loved her [partner] James. We will love you forever,” he said.

Her partner of four years, James Hodder, said Ms Boden was brave and that spread to the people in her life.

“Kirsty was so brave, I don’t just mean what she did that night, we all know she was a hero that night, I mean all her life,” he said.

“She was brave when she left her family to go to boarding school when she won a scholarship, she was brave when she moved to London arriving with just a suitcase and a smile.

“She was brave when she couldn’t get her UK nursing registration but pushed on anyway to not just get her registration but eventually getting promoted at one of London’s most prestigious hospitals.”

He said she “floored me with her smile and kindness” and they went on many travelling adventures.

“Caring for people was what Kirsty was passionate about, that passion was evident to everyone who worked with her and to the patients she cared for so diligently.

“Kirsty’s job was hard, she regularly worked 12 hours or more which were very intense but she always maintained her smile, happy she was making a difference to her patients’ lives.

“She was the highlight of so many people’s lives.”

Mr Hodder told the service about living in probably London’s smallest flat, being joined by a stray cat they called Simon and the walks in the park close to home.

“We had a beautiful life there [in North London] and I’m so thankfully for the years we shared together I will treasure those memories forever.”

The funeral service was held at the town’s swimming club where Ms Boden was a successful junior member.

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