Community heroes rewarded
TWO community heroes have picked up awards for their tireless work making Rushmoor a better place to live.
Every year, Rushmoor Borough Council hands out a Rushmoor Community Award to someone who has dedicated their time to good causes in Aldershot or Farnborough.
This year two candidates, who have spent a collective 50 years of volunteering, were so outstanding that two awards were presented at last Thursday’s full council meeting at the offices in Farnborough.
Walter Clift, 73, known as Wally, was awarded for his work picking up litter while out walking his black and white collie.
Wally, who served for 14 years in the army before retiring in 2003, also runs scout groups and spends four hours a day clearing rubbish from public footpaths and the woods near his home and usually fills up five carrier bags each time. He also patrols areas such as Sandy Lane and Pinewood Park to urge drivers to park considerately.
Cllr Bedford said Wally often receives tirades of abuse from the drivers and was fully deserving of his award.
Wally said: “All I want is for everyone to pick up two bits of litter a day and not throw it on the floor.
“I work very hard every day trying to clean it and I come back and they’ve done it again.”
He called on other members of the public to help make the borough a better and tidier place. Wally also won a Hampshire County Council Good Neighbour Award this year.
Ted Parker, 66, who was born in Aldershot and now lives in Farnborough, has been chairman of Aldershot charity Parkside, which supports children and adults with learning disabilities at its day centre in Guildford Road, for two decades.
He said: “I feel a bit of a fraud really, because it sounds as if I do a lot of work for the community, but I don’t, I do a lot of work for me.
“I enjoy what I do and hope the community can benefit from it.
“To receive this award from you means a great deal to me as I feel this is my home and this is my family.”
Mr Parker was also a member of the Aldershot Lads of the Village for 20 years and helped raise money for many good causes.