An inspiring volunteer who has spent more than two decades supporting the Lostock Hall branch of the Royal British Legion was delighted to benefit from Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] and Lancashire Police’s ‘Community Hero’ season card initiative last week.
PNECET and PNE Police Officer, PC Paul Elliott, have been jointly distributing four season cards through the Community Hero initiative for every home league game in the 2021/22 season, which have been distributed to different deserving members of the community for each home game at Deepdale.
Treasurer of the committee at the Royal British Legion at Lostock Hall, John Holderness, has been recognised for his dedication and passion to keeping the club – situated on Brownedge Road – open, with it having been around for more than 40 years.
Difficulties at the club caused by the pandemic have seen John step up to take on several additional duties in the best interests of the club, including attending the club in the early hours of the morning to assist with brewery deliveries and organising staff cover.
On St George’s Day recently, John saw the concert room in the Lostock Hall Royal British Legion branch renamed in his honour with a plaque commemorating his contribution also presented to him, which has been placed above the door of the club.
Janette Parker, a fellow member of the club, said: “John has been a member of the club in excess of 20 years. On his recent 76th birthday he was in the club hoovering the floor and sanitising all the toilets, which he does on a weekly basis.
“John has worked behind the bar, stands in for bingo calling when requested and does all the accounts for the club, including making payments and cashing up the weekly takings on a Monday morning.
“He is in the club every night and is the true connection between the committee and the members who tell him every complaint and moan as they know he will act upon it.
“One thing that John is very passionate about is Preston North End. He is a lifelong fan who is very proud of his club.
“There is no one in the Royal British Legion who is more committed to keeping the club open, looking after the members and does it for the love of the place.”
Preston North End Community and Education Trust runs a PNE Forces programme for past and present members of the military, which includes a free weekly football session, every Wednesday from 8pm until 9pm at PlayFootball Preston. Email alistair.white@pne.com to find out more about the programme.