85-year-old rewarded for work with Older People's Forum (From Warrington Guardian)

85-year-old rewarded for work with Older People's Forum

12:00pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in News

AN 85-year-old has been recognised for his dedication to helping the older people in the borough at a national awards.

Alf Clemo has spent the past 20 years giving his time and efforts to help others and has been rewarded for his tireless work with the likes of Warrington Older People’s Forum.

He was one of just 14 people to pick up a certificate of recognition in the Age UK Older People Volunteer Awards 2012 and went to London to pick up the prize.

Alf, of Dovedale Close, Orford, said: “I have raised more than £250,000 for different groups in Warrington over 20 years.

“I do quite a lot of work with the hospital and people who are in distress. And with the Older People’s Forum our main aim is to break down isolation with older people in Warrington.

“We do lots of activities and we have more than 700 members at the Older People’s Forum.”

The retired garage owner has helped to collect funding from Wren in recent years helping to fund major redevelopment of the forum’s base at Warrington Baptist Church on Sankey Street.

And his volunteering for others came about originally to help younger people in the community.

“I got involved with the police against youths being problematic in Orford after getting involved in drink and drugs,” he added. ”A lot of it has cleared up now.”

But then he turned his attentions to the town’s older residents - a job he still relishes now in his role as treasurer of the forum.

“It’s satisfaction that keeps me motivated in helping others. When you see all the people enjoying themselves, they are not staying at home and being frustrated on their own,” he added.

The Warrington Older People’s Forum is open to anyone aged over 50 and the main meeting is held on the first Monday of the month from 1pm to 3pm.