John was a volunteer for Ham & Petersham SOS for over 7 years and a true gentleman. There was nothing he wouldn't and couldn't turn his hand to, running the Wednesday lunch club at Ham Library, driving our minibus for the shopping bus service or on outings, helping run ad hoc events and transporting clients in his car. John was also the perfect person to help run a stall at a fete or community market as he knew everyone and people gravitated towards him and people found themselves easily parted from their "donations" to SOS. A selfless man, who whilst battling (and beating) bowel cancer still helped out and made sure SOS wasn't far from his thoughts and actions didn't want to "let SOS down."

Sadly, his third battle with cancer didn't go as he planned, and sadly John lost his valiant battle with a new cancer shortly before Christmas 2020. With Johns families blessing, we are looking to raise funds to buy a memorial bench for the office grounds so volunteers, clients and friends can sit and relect and remember the wonderful man John was whilst sharing memories about him. There is a John sized hole in our organisation and our hearts and it would be lovely to have a bench in his honor for the community who loved him.