Daily Express

Beret of war hero actor sells for £9k

- By Mark Reynolds

THE paratroope­r’s beret of war heroturned-Hollywood actor Richard Todd has sold for almost £9,000.

Richard landed in Normandy on D-Day and helped Major John

Howard’s company hold Pegasus Bridge.

He later portrayed Maj Howard in the classic 1962 war film The Longest Day and it is believed he wore this beret for the role.

It was found at Richard’s Lincolnshi­re home following his death in 2009. It was sold by C&T Auctions, of Ashford, Kent.

FOOTBALL legend Lou Macari has helped dozens of homeless people get back on their feet after turning 46 luxury glamping pods into individual shelters.

The former Manchester United star, 71, started the project last March.

The 15ft x 7.5ft pods each have a bed, table and chairs and a TV. Lou joked: “They can watch their own football teams without a brawl breaking out.”

The midfielder played for Scotland in the 1978 World Cup and later managed clubs including Celtic and Stoke.

He launched the Lou Macari Foundation four years ago. But his dormitory-style shelter in Stoke couldn’t continue in the wake of the pandemic.

Lou’s solution came when he spotted the glamping site. He said: “I was just driving around, and I stumbled across this field full of these pods and it got me thinking, ‘Would they fit in a warehouse?’. It turned out to be perfect for what we need.”

People in the heated pods have access to shower facilities and some residents have decorated their homes.

With the help of Lou’s foundation, former engineer Martin Bagnall, 31, has landed a job with RKW kitchen appliances.

Martin, from Stoke, said: “People don’t want to employ someone who is homeless, so having a fixed address when you’re doing applicatio­ns is so important.”

 ??  ?? Actor Richard Todd
Actor Richard Todd
 ?? Pictures: STEVE BOULD/STOKE SENTINEL; GETTY ?? Lou Macari, inset in his playing days, with his glamping pods
Pictures: STEVE BOULD/STOKE SENTINEL; GETTY Lou Macari, inset in his playing days, with his glamping pods
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