A man who has spent six decades helping those in need in Barrow has been presented with an award.
Alan Docker was presented with the Peter Scott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Charity award by Madeleine Scott, Peter’s daughter.
The FCSCT gives over £1 million a year to charities in Cumbria, and those on the border with Lancashire, and annually recognises an incredible individual who makes a real difference to their community.
Alan is the fifth person to receive the award which commemorates the legacy of the trust’s founder, Peter Scott CBE, chairman of the Provincial Insurance Company and someone who was passionate about the area and its people.
Born and educated in Barrow, Alan began helping others as a 16-year-old with his church youth group. He continued with his volunteer youth work right through married life and raising his own family, as well as being a pastor at Spring Mount Church.
After suffering from two heart attacks aged 50, Alan left the family fruit and veg business, to study Christian ministry and youth work at St Martin’s College, Lancaster. After graduating he went on to set up and register the Walney Community Trust as a charity in 2003.
FCSCT director Helen Carter said that under Alan’s leadership it had become a thriving hub of activity offering support and help to many people of all ages.
She said: “Thanks to Alan, there’s an active, thriving community of positive support and help in the heart of Walney. People experience hardship and challenging circumstances, but together with Alan and his team the Centre creates a warm welcome, a safe space, and a community to be part of.
“Alan is a man who has shown unwavering belief in that community. For 60 years he has taken action to respond to the need he sees around him, pulling people in, developing strategies and finding resources,” adds Helen.
Today Alan said there was much to keep him busy including grandchildren and being a trustee of the Walney Community Trust, he retired last year as its chair.
The award comes with a grant of £2,500.
Alan said it would benefit three charities he is involved with, the Blessed Hill orphanage and school in Uganda, People2People in Romania – who work with the Roma people – and Walney Community Trust.
Alan summed up his commitment to Walney Community Trust and Walney as: “a labour of love and devotion for those who are struggling with life coupled with my desire to help in whatever way I can and use whatever resources I can lay my hands on.”
