Canterbury has lost fine citizen

Your report covering the funeral of Michael Head [October 14] was very moving and summed-up both what a wonderful citizen he was and how his generous philanthropy touched so many people in the Canterbury district. The report listed many of the organisations he supported and clearly there wasn’t space to mention them all.

One of those not mentioned was Canterbury Food Bank, which Michael supported regularly over many years. The clients, staff and trustees of the charity wish to express there sincere gratitude for his support - although it wasn’t just financial.

He was also a great ‘encourager’. He kept frequent touch and, during the past 18 months in particular, when the charity was facing the dual challenges of unprecedented demand driven by the pandemic overlaid with having to find a new warehouse, he was particularly supportive.

It was therefore all the greater shock to receive a call from Michael in the summer when he told me of his declining health and that the prospects were not good.

On the back of this news, I and my fellow colleagues at the food bank were so pleased we managed to arrange for him to visit the new warehouse - which at the time was in the throes of being fitted-out – to update him on progress.

Although frail, his intellect was still sharp and he asked many very perceptive questions and, above all, offered his usual warm encouragement to continue the mission he had been supporting for so long.

If only there were more Michael Heads in the world.

Were it so, quite simply, it would be a far fairer place than it is today.

Canterbury has lost a fine citizen.

All who knew Michael are enriched by having done so and will mourn his passing.

Martin Ward

Chair of Trustees, Canterbury Food Bank