COMMUNITY STARS: Littlehampton man puts others first

His wife, Shirley, said he works long days driving minibuses for charities Guild Care and Dial A Ride and that is why she nominated him in the best volunteer category of the Herald/Gazette Community Stars awards.

Shirley said of 76-year-old Roy: "He's devoted his time to volunteering.

"He started doing it when we were living in Gran Canaria and we came back here for little holidays.

"Then, 12 years ago, we moved back and he liked it so much he carried on and now he does something most days."

Dial A Ride

Roy picks up people who go to Guild Care and drops them off at its day centre.

For Dial A Ride, he spends his time dropping people at things like doctor and dentist appointments and takes them food shopping.

This is despite the fact that back in 2005 he faced his own health battle, after he suffered a heart attack.

He had to stop volunteering for a while, but Shirley said he started again as soon as he was well enough.

He is much-loved by those he drives, and Shirley said they all frequently drive round town listening and singing along to classical music.

Meals on Wheels

Roy recently received a certificate from Dial A Ride for being its longest-serving volunteer, and in the past has been given an award from Meals on Wheels for working as a volunteer for them for 10 years.

He has also been a volunteer at Ferring Retirement Club.

Shirley said: "He has always loved driving as he used to be a driving instructor, and he just really enjoys doing all his volunteer work.

"He would be useless if he just stayed at home as he likes to be active.

"The people he picks up look forward to seeing him and he looks forward to seeing them."

Double nomination

Roy was also nominated by his friend Rosemary Luxford, who said: "He would rather do this than go on holiday.

"Other people come first before him and he's always there if somebody needs him.

"If anybody is ever off sick, he'll go straight in and cover for them. Since I have known him, he has always loved his buses."

Nominate your Community Star

Nominations are flooding in every week.

Do you know someone who makes a difference to your community?

Send in your nominations using the Community Stars form in the Herald and Gazette series, out on Thursday, June 11.

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