A Nottinghamshire village is pulling together to help support "a local legend." Ray Smith, 76, is well known in Southwell as for many years he was the town's last road sweeper and worked until the mid 90s maintaining Southwell and keeping it clean before his job came to an end.
However, in recent years Ray has been struggling with his mobility after decades of being hunched over to clean the town. The owner of the Crown Hotel, James Kemp, has organised the fundraiser for Ray so that residents can help him purchase a mobility scooter and there will also be a fundraising day at the hotel on Saturday, June 17.
James said: "Ray is a Southwell gentleman born and bred. He was the last road sweeper/town cleaner for the town and he worked until the mid 90s maintaining and cleaning the whole town on his own.
"They named a road after him, Raysmith Close." Even after Ray stopped working, he continued looking after the town and helping people where he could
James continued: "He's got a curvature in the spine in his back from all the work he has done being hunched over for years sweeping the roads." After speaking to Ray, James decided to start a Go Fund Me page to try and help out and "within 24 hours it had raised over £2,000."
The fundraiser has now raised almost £2,200, which is significantly more than the original goal of £1,500. The additional funds are being used to go towards an even better scooter for Ray, and making sure he has all the adaptations at his home to accommodate it and make his life easier.
On Friday, May 27, James took Ray to a local mobility to store so he could have a look at the different options. Ray will be presented with his new scooter on June 17, during the fundraising day.
More than a 100 people have contributed to the fundraiser. James added: "One guy gave £500 and put a comment on Facebook that it is because years ago when Ray was cleaning Southwell he found his wife's purse and found them and gave it back.
"The guy is just a local legend. He's done a hell of a lot for the town, above and beyond the pay packet.
"He just wants to do it, he just wants to help people out. The town has rallied round and got some massive support.
"I thought I'm in my forties and I know what he's done, I remember going to school and seeing him sweeping the pavements. I think it's just a classic case of repaying what Ray has done for people."
Ray is very thankful for the town's support, and said: "I am overwhelmed by the help and donations being made and couldn't believe the amount."
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