THE NEEDY FOUND A CARING FRIEND

Community

hero Kenny Simpson

dies

Sad to  announce the death this afternoon of  legendary  Carlisle community worker and activist Kenny Simpson(left). He had been taken ill at his home in Meade Road, Petteril Bank and died later in the Cumberland Infirmary. He was 74.

It  is thought that Kenny had a heart attack. Previously he had survived  cancer three times and  on one occasion several years ago had been admitted to Eden Valley Hospice.

Kenny was a friend to all  said a neighbour today.

He added: “Kenny was particularly kind to families  in Petteril Bank estate where he was  on call day and night with helpful advice and a  helpful  free car and trailer service.   

“Hundreds of times over the years he has spent his days transporting furniture and household goods for hard up families moving home. Sometimes he was paid, but far more often he wasn`t .

“Often he was called to  give lifts to families visiting hospitals in Newcastle or further away and sometimes to give lifts to people visiting relatives in Durham  or Haverigg prisons.

“Everyone on the estate will miss him badly, He was a Petteril Bank hero- a  local legend.”

Older people will remember Kenny as a well-known long distance lorry driver who spent weeks away from home travelling to Afghanistan and other places in the Middle and Far East.

Later, he ran his own transport business from his home.  After he retired, he  did voluntary work driving community transport buses for Cumbria County Council.

Kenny will also be  well remembered for his work as a community activist helping fellow tenants of Two Castles Housing Association and a key  leader of Carlisle Tenants`and Residents` Federation which publishes this blog.

 
Kenny had been treasurer of the Federation for a many years and attended his last Federation meeting three days prior to his death.He had also been treasurer of two other community groups, Friends of Dale End Park and Botcherby Forever.

A Federation  spokesman said:  "There have already been many tributes to Kenny and his work from all over the city. He showed the same dedication to the Federation and the other groups as that shown to his local community. He was hard-working, helpful at all times and extremely popular. He will be badly missed."

Kenny is survived by his wife Joan, his son Kenneth, and daughters Joanne, Katie and Julie.

 Carlisle Tenants` and Residents` Federation publishes this blog. Information about the Federation is available on 01228 522277 .