Inspiring celebration of an inspiring life

Sunderland honoured Second World War veteran Len Gibson in stunning fashion, with a special event at Herrington Country Park.

Len turned 101 in January, but celebrations were placed on hold due to the coronavirus.

Yesterday’s event was worth the wait, though, with highlights including a Spitfire flyover, a parachute jump from the Red Devils and a special message from Eurythmics star Dave Stewart – who was inspired by Len to pick up a guitar.

Dave wasn’t’ the first person to be inspired by Len – and he certainly wasn’t the last.

Len has been providing an example to hundreds of people for almost 80 years and shows no sign of letting up well into his second century.

Captured by the Japanese in 1942 and a POW on the Burma Death Railway for the rest of the war, he raised the spirits of his fellow prisoners during their unimaginable suffering.

Returning to Sunderland, Len devoted himself to a lifetime of teaching and inspired generations of Sunderland schoolchildren. Yesterday’s celebration included a performance of war time songs by pupils from Hasting Hill Academy, where Len was deputy head for 17 years.

At a time when he could be more than forgiven for putting his feet up, Len continues to devote himself to the community, supporting cancer charity Daft as a Brush in its plans to expand its operation to help patients in Aberdeen, Londonderry, Cardiff and London.

Happy birthday Len.