South Kesteven District Council

The Leader of South Kesteven District Council will be raising money for charity after agreeing to take part in a skydive from 13,000ft.

Cllr Kelham Cooke, will make his leap of faith in aid of Harry’s Pals, a charity set up in 2020 to support parents of severely ill or disabled children who unexpectedly find out that their child has a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

Harry’s Pals also pays for respite breaks for families coming to terms with the news, giving them much-needed time to recharge and recuperate, as well as offering bespoke counselling programmes for individuals or couples.

Kelham will make his tandem skydive at Sibson Airfield in Peterborough on September 30.

“Harry’s Pals is a wonderful cause,” said Kelham. “It’s a small charity that does so much for people who unexpectedly find themselves having to cope with an incredibly difficult situation.

“I’m determined to raise as much money as I possibly can as well as helping to raise the profile of the charity.

“There’s no backing out now – I’m really looking forward to it.”

The skydiving opportunity presented itself during a conversation with Julie Doyle, the Chief Executive of Longhurst Group, whose grandson is disabled and has had complex care needs since birth.

Julie, who is a trustee of Harry’s Pals, mentioned that her colleague Norma Masters was planning a skydive in aid of the charity and Kelham agreed to join her.

Julie’s daughter and Harry’s mother, Hayley Charlesworth, founded the charity in his name to provide other families with much-needed emotional and practical support.

“As a society we don’t do enough to support those who provide care and those who need it, and that’s something I’m passionate about changing,” said Julie.

“We are so grateful to Kelham for volunteering to help us raise money and spread the message about the work of Harry’s Pals.”

To sponsor Kelham go to Kelham Cooke is fundraising for Harry’s Pals (justgiving.com)

More information about the charity is available at https://www.harryspals.co.uk

From council house rent collection on cycles to using an armoured plated collection vehicle in the community charge era, much has changed in Tim Leeson’s 50 years with South Kesteven District Council.

Today’s council revenues are largely collected online, but things were very different when Tim, who retires from his role as Income Recovery Support Officer on September 15, joined the authority in March 1971.

“I was only 17 and had been in the office for five minutes when Ron Appleby, senior rent officer at the time, asked me to put my coat on, and go out collecting with him,” said Tim, who was paid what then seemed a princely sum of £60 a month.

“It was a bit of a sink or swim situation, but I spent the rest of the day collecting rent on the Earlesfield estate and did that on my own every Monday for about 18 months.

“It was all cash in those days. Rents were about £3 a week and, despite carrying several hundred pounds in my little money bag, there was never a problem. Obviously, we used a car to visit the villages, and, even then, with several thousands of pounds collected in cash, I never had anybody approach me or any worries about security.

“The worst time to call was after the gas or electric man had been paid, and I was given what coins were left in shillings and florins, the two-shilling coin in circulation at the time.

“My trickiest day was having to drive the big heavy community charge bus home one day when the driver fell ill. It was a bit of a challenge!”

Cllr Kelham Cooke, the Leader of SKDC, said: “Fifty years is a real milestone for anyone, and we are extremely grateful for what Tim has contributed to the council.

“Times certainly have changed since 1971, and it’s fascinating to have such a personal insight into just how much our services have evolved from manual cash collection to the many easy options we now offer for payments.”

Tim’s only break in his council career was when he left to open a pool club on London Road in 1985, having played professionally and even represented England.

“It was fun, but I decided it wasn’t for me long term and re-joined the council in March 1987, slotting back into my old job,” he said.

Technically Tim completes his 50 years’ service around 10 September but decided to continue for an extra week to make sure of his half century of service. His only memento of those early days is the identity card issued in 1974 when local government was re-organised.

Tim also made his mark on SKDC with his part-time tee-shirt business, with staff wearing his logo’d merchandise for council-backed events, a sideline he is continuing.