Denis retires
Misery takes its toll
Anti-poverty champion Denis Curran MBE is to stand down as chairman of an East Kilbride food bank charity.
The 74-year-old grandad is retiring after dedicating his life to helping the poor.
He said: “It was a difficult decision but I've been there a long time.”
After dedicating his life to helping the needy and passionately fighting for the rights of the povertystricken Denis Curran MBE is to stand down as chairman of Loaves and Fishes.
After 25 years at the helm of the East Kilbride charity the 74-year-old Calderwood grandad exclusively told the News this week it is now time to put his own family’s needs first.
This will be his final year running the local foodbank and homeless shelter in Glasgow.
But by taking on a role of spokesman for the charity – visiting schools, churches and businesses – he will remain strongly connected to the cause and has vowed to continue to challenge people in power to achieve his ultimate goal of eradicating the need for foodbanks in modern society.
He said: “I’ll never give that up. Anything I talk about is my experience and I can only try to the best of my ability to share other people’s heartache.
“What I’m seeing just now is people in absolute despair. I’m getting old and it affects me physically and mentally.
“It’s seven days a week, it’s time we took time to ourselves.
“I go home at night with a lot of pain and heartache and it’s things that I shouldn’t have to be worrying about.
“What we need is politicians to stand up and tell the truth. I’d like to sit down with MPs face to face.
“People have to stand up and unite. We seem to have lost the fight.”
An emotional Denis admitted the heartbreaking misery that came through the doors of his Kelvinbased foodbank at Christmas played a major part in the “very difficult” and “bittersweet” decision to relinquish his hugely respected position as chairman of the charity.
The News laid bare the shocking extent of poverty in our town last month, revealing more than 400 people queued outside the unit in despair for a handout so their kids would not go hungry at Christmas.
Denis’ famous impassioned plea to the Scottish Parliament went viral but made no difference to the desperate situation befalling struggling families in East Kilbride and beyond.
He said: “It was a difficult decision but I’ve been there a long time and it’s needing new blood.
“Twenty-five years is a long time out your life and I can go now because it’s all organised. It’s up to the board now to decide who they want to take my place.
“The Loaves and Fishes became my life. It gave me something to get up and get on with but now, with my age, it’s hard graft. I’ve realised I have to step back and let someone younger come in.
“I’m not just walking away. I’ve played a big part in the changes and helped to introduce a lot of different things and helped to get it off the street.
“But I’ll still be involved with the Loaves and Fishes by doing talks as I’m the only one who knows everything about the charity.”
The ill health of his wife Cathy, who is instrumental in the running of the charity, and his own ailing health are, Denis said, the main reasons he has decided to call it quits.
Cathy, 74, will also step down from her role as vice-chair but will still help out at the unit a couple of days a week.
“I’ve let Loaves and Fishes come before my family,” added Denis.
“With Cathy being very ill and our age, you can’t go on forever. I might be wrong but I like to think I’ve taken it to a level where it can exist without a lot of problems because the hard work’s been done. We have our volunteers.”
Locals have turned out in their droves to wish Denis well and congratulate him on his achievements over the years.
He added: “I’ve had a lot of nice comments from people, saying I’ve done a good job and I’m entitled to take time to myself and wished me well.
“I have a lot of beautiful memories and a lot of sad ones – a lot of horrendous ones – but funny, happy and joyous times too.
“The people you meet are characters: a lot of lovely, genuine people who have absolutely nothing but gave you their love.
“I’m glad that I’ve been able to play a part in a lot of their lives and they’ve played a big part in mine.
“Loaves and Fishes are doing their best and will continue to do their best and the best is to treat people as human beings. Encourage them because they gave me encouragement and gave me a good life.”
Volunteer Kevin McElwee paid tribute to the Currans by saying: “Both Denis and Cathy have dedicated themselves to helping those in need in our community for over 25 years.
“The difference they have made to so many families and our town as a whole cannot be overstated.
“He’s an incredible, humble human being that I’m privileged to call a friend and has been inspirational to myself as both a father and a Christian.
“Well done, Den and Cathy. Thanks for everything. Let’s pray a time comes when those in power find a way for dedication such as yours not to be needed.”
Anyone interested in volunteering for Loaves and Fishes can attend a meeting at Oasis Cafe on Bath Street, Glasgow, on February 22 at 7pm.
He’s an incredible, humble human being that I’m privileged to call a friend