Thousands raised in memory of Northampton Rotarian killed in tractor crash

Paul Simpson was on a one-man charity hike in Herefordshire to raise money for Northampton food banks at the time of his death
Carly Roberts
By Carly Roberts
Published 18th Nov 2020, 06:00 BST
Paul pictured at the start of the Offa's Dyke trail in September.Paul pictured at the start of the Offa's Dyke trail in September.
Paul pictured at the start of the Offa's Dyke trail in September.

Rotarian Paul Simpson, 66, was taking part in a solo sponsored walk on the 180-mile Offa’s Dyke path in September this year when he was fatally struck by a tractor on day four of his 14 day walk from Chepstow to Prestatyn.

Paul had decided that the challenge would be another way to raise extra cash to support Northampton's food banks after he selflessly went out of his way to deliver food to them during the first lockdown.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul was the former president of Rotary Becket between 2018 and 2019 and was well known for helping to organise major fundraising events for the town, including the annual Dragon Boat Race, which he chaired for six years, and Santa Fun Run in Northampton.

Paul Simpson (left) pictured handing food over to Weston Favell Food Bank worker Paul Foster in the first lockdown, after he helped to raise 6,000 for supplies.Paul Simpson (left) pictured handing food over to Weston Favell Food Bank worker Paul Foster in the first lockdown, after he helped to raise 6,000 for supplies.
Paul Simpson (left) pictured handing food over to Weston Favell Food Bank worker Paul Foster in the first lockdown, after he helped to raise 6,000 for supplies.

But Paul didn't stop after the Dragon Boat race finished. He also joined forces with a Chronicle & Echo campaign to feed 100 people with a free Christmas dinner at the Northampton Hope Centre.

A fundraising page was set up by Paul days before his death, which has seen a huge number of donations from people who knew and loved Paul, and strangers who supported his cause.

Rotary Becket President, Peter Brearley, has this week announced that more than £10,000 has been received by the club’s charity from the appeal through fundraisers and match funding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Peter added: “Paul had requested matched funding for his sponsored walk, and I am pleased to say that the bank have honoured this by matching all funds donated in Paul’s name.

Paul (right) with Robert Kingham (left) and Alan Bunn (back) outside Tesco Mereway where they fundraised annually with their sleigh.Paul (right) with Robert Kingham (left) and Alan Bunn (back) outside Tesco Mereway where they fundraised annually with their sleigh.
Paul (right) with Robert Kingham (left) and Alan Bunn (back) outside Tesco Mereway where they fundraised annually with their sleigh.

“It is now the responsibility of the club to ensure that the funds received are spent exactly as Paul intended and that not a penny is wasted. The club will continue to supply food through the Christmas period and into the New Year through the generosity of so many people who contributed in Paul’s memory.

"Paul was very much a community service committed rotarian. He put in hundreds of hours over the years to helping others.

"We get people from different walks of life wanting to be a rotarian, some might be predominiantly interested in helping young people, or people overseas but Paul was committed to helping anyone he could in the local community, and he a lot of work with people with disabilities."

Related topics:Northampton