TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-time Bromsgrove community campaigner who has died at the age of 82.
Over the years Fred Stanley campaigned on a number of issues in the town and raised thousands of pounds worth of funding for local charities.
Fred and his fundraisers and his campaigns regularly featured in the Standard, along with his letters on a variety of issues.
He campaigned to save Bromsgrove Market Hall when it was due to be bulldozed and, likewise, the town’s Greyhound pub. He also lobbied for a park in Sidemoor so children and young people would have a place to spend their leisure time.
He started helping out charities in 1985 after his wife died of leukaemia.
Fred had a collection of more than 20,000 records and, to raise funds for good causes, he would DJ in local pubs and at social event, dress up in fancy dress and organise events. He also raised funds for the Poppy Appeal for more than 30 years.
In his working life, he undertook a multitude of jobs. These included dustman and road sweeper, along with a period at Austin Rover in Longbridge.
He also worked in a hotel – in the kitchen and as a porter and at pubs, also in the kitchen.
Fred’s early life
Fred Stanley did not have the easiest of starts in life.
When he was born – on March 30 near Bournheath and Dodford to parents Frederick and Elsie Stanley – he was virtually blind.
He was schooled for more than 10 years at the Coventry School for the Blind.
He had seven brothers and one sister and lived in Bromsgrove all his life.
His daughter Suzie said: “It seemed virtually everybody in Bromsgrove knew Fred Stanley.
“He was a very friendly and generous man.
“He was a great asset to people in the community who needed help with their homes and support.”
He met famous people, including Terry Wogan and Princess Diana – when she officially opened the Princess of Wales Community Hospital.
Suzie added: “He was a very loyal Royals fanatic and, even when he suffered late in life with COPD, he was always telling jokes and keeping us entertained.
“He was much-loved and will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
“He was definitely one of a kind and will never be forgotten.”
His funeral will take place at St John’s Church, Brromsgrove, at 1pm next Friday, January 23.
Fred is survived by his daughters Suzie and Emma and his son Mark.
The service will be followed by a burial at Bromsgrove Cemetery and a wale at Millfields Social Club which everyone is welcome to.
