Diamond geezer John hits top note
CHARITY champion John Swinden – better known as John Alexander, The Singing Jeweller – has been elected as Rochdale Man of the Year 2017.
This year around 40 nominations were received and the winner must live or work in the borough and be considered an ‘unsung hero’ who gives their time and effort for the good of the community.
John has raised many thousands of pounds over the years for a range of good causes. In the last 12 months he raised over £6,500 from just a single concert and earlier at the event he presented a cheque for £1,000 direct to Springhill Hospice.
He is well known locally for his Jewellery shop, J & D Alexander, which is based on The Walk in Rochdale town centre. John freely gives his time entertaining at a variety of fundraising events and also generously donates free jewellery vouchers to support local charities.
John was presented with the Rochdale Man of the Year trophy by last year’s winner Alan Wrigley at the luncheon on Friday in front of an audience of more than 200.
Rochdale Man of the Year has been held annually since 1994 and is organised as a fundraising event by Springhill Hospice with the support of the council.
Local business sponsors this year were Jackson Jackson, Dunphy and H Bell & Sons Rochdale.
John said: “I have always felt blessed to be in a position where I can do what I do and have the time and motivation to want to do it. If I were a multi-millionaire, I would give every penny to charity.”
●●Pictures by Eddie Garvey