I’ve asked for this container to be named after my grandson Cassidy who is seven years old. Cassidy is a delightful little boy, always happy but has limited understanding, and is long-sighted. He is non-verbal but he loves music and will listen to someone playing guitar or piano for hours.
He’s had a tough life so far having had a major operation to build a hip which had not formed properly but he still retained his good humour. Fortunately, he is in a very good local school for children with special educational needs and has devoted parents who love him dearly.
I feel that having the container named after him is at least something I can give him and hopefully, he might remember.
I was always interested in chemistry as a lad and was good at maths, so my A levels were the standard Maths, Physics and Chemistry. The obvious combination of these subjects was to study Chemical Engineering which I did at Birmingham University. Having graduated, I spent another year getting my MSc in Biological engineering.
I spent five years with Glaxo in production roles manufacturing various human bacterial and viral vaccines including cholera, tetanus and influenza, before joining a small company in London, manufacturing a range of human pharmaceuticals.
I spent the last 20 years of employment in regulatory affairs (product development, QC, QA and product registration) with a veterinary company before spending 10 years as a regulatory affairs consultant.
I realised, having time on my hands after semi-retirement, that volunteering would be a good idea. I was particularly interested in doing something manual – having shuffled paperwork for years and Workaid seemed a good fit.
Although I had no experience with sewing machines, I thought this area would be the most interesting and I haven’t been disappointed – so many different machines and so many different problems to sort out, not always successfully! I joined in 2010, so I have now completed 15 years with the organisation.
Not only do I feel I am doing something useful, but I know I am learning something new every week. On top of that, the social aspect of working with like-minded people is great.
I was born in London, studied in Birmingham and married my wife Sue in 1971. I worked in Liverpool for 5 years and have lived in Little Chalfont for over 40 years. I have two sons and three grandchildren including Cassidy.
I belong to the Chess Valley U3A where I co-convene the photography group, walk regularly with the Striders and sing tenor with the Singing for Pleasure Choir. I also sing with the Amersham Community Choir and lead walks for Simply Walk in Chesham. My hobbies include walking and photography and playing guitar with a trad jazz band.
Cassidy has a big love for Thomas the Tank Engine, and an even bigger heart for sharing. As a special gesture, he has given us a toy to pass on to another child when the container reaches its destination in a few months’ time.
In the photo, Cassidy stands with his proud grandparents David and Sue.
