By David O'Leary
FOR John Thompson retirement meant he could fully focus his efforts on his favourite pastime.
Fortunately for Scottish charities, Mr Thompson’s 40-year hobby has never centred on model railways or racing pigeons, but on raising money for worthwhile causes – lots of money.
It is estimated that the kindhearted 74-year-old, who lives in a retirement housing complex in Livingston, West Lothian, has raised more than £100,000 over the years.
It has come from a range of activities, including a 25-mile cycle, a series of 15- and 20-mile walks, coffee mornings he has hosted, steak pie afternoons and even a 24-hour dart marathon.
His latest effort, last November, saw him cycle 25 miles over five hours to raise £6,000 for special needs schools in his area.
Never one to sit still for long he is now planning a half-mile swim in Bathgate Swimming Pool later this year. He said: “I’ve always been young at heart and liked doing things. All my life I’ve done things for charity but in retirement it’s become my main pastime. I’ve a healthy mind and body so why shouldn’t I be out there doing things?”
The grandfather-of-two’s fundraising efforts intensified after his eldest grandson was born 15 weeks prematurely and he has been raising money ever since.
His healthy mind and body was honed during a lifetime in uniform – he spent four years with the Territorial Army, nine years with the Royal Highland Fusiliers Pipes and Drums and 22 years with the Army Cadet Force A member of Legion Scotland for more than 40 years and president of the Livingston Branch, when not undertaking charity efforts he spends his time visiting veterans in hospitals and residential homes around the region.
He said: “There’s plenty for people to be doing if they really want to do something. People have this impression that retirement means sitting about and taking it easy. Retirement is not the end at all. I’m always doing things around my retirement housing either hosting bingo or coffee mornings. I’ve begun a steak pie afternoon and funnily enough that draws a real crowd.”
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