Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’ve stood my ground for these children now board want rid of me
Lollipop man, 85, hits out at road danger as job axed
AN 85-year-old lollipop man has begged for his job back after his retirement left 200 children without help to cross a busy road.
Raymond Donnan, from Millisle, Co Down, worked for the local primary school until last October, protecting pupils from tractors, HGV lorries and cars.
But advancing age and failing health triggered his decision to hang up his lollipop and he presumed he would be replaced on the busy Abbey Road in the seaside village.
The pensioner said: “If I had known I wasn’t going to be replaced I would never have retired. I just wanted to help my community, help our children and generations to come.
“When the post came up I applied and got the job and started a two-week training course. That was 18 years ago.
“It opened my eyes to the dangers of the roads faced by everyone but especially children and it also opened my eyes to the stupidity and selfishness of a lot of drivers.
“The children of Millisle Primary School need a lollipop man. It costs less than £6,000 a year and ensures 250 pupils and nursery children can safely get into and out of school.
“The road is packed with cars from residential parking, a housing estate, farming machinery coming through, heavy goods vehicles delivering to the village including to two pubs.
“No flashing lights, no barriers, no warning signs are going to be enough to keep this place safe.
“When I realised that I was not being replaced I asked to come back but it was no good. The job was gone, the savings were made and that was that.”
Parents have been urging the Education Authority to replace their cherished lollipop man.
Kristine Marshall, 34, whose daughter, Evie, six, attends Millisle Primary, said: “Every suggestion has been rejected by the Education Authority including replacing Raymond. He kept our children safe when we couldn’t be there. He managed to slow the traffic to a legal speed outside the school by facing down fast and dangerous drivers. For 18 years he was a regular sight that everyone loved and appreciated.”
The Education Authority was approached for comment.