A WELL-liked and respected Worcester man has died at the age of 85, leaving a legacy of community and charity work.

Ken Hemming died peacefully last Friday, December 14, after spending the whole of his life in the Faithful City.

Mr Hemming, one of 10 brothers and sisters, attended St John's Primary School as a child, and like most people of those days, left school at 14.

He joined the Mining Engineering company (Meco) as an apprentice engineer, eventually becoming welfare officer in a career spanning more than 50 years.

Working for the Bromyard organisation, Mr Hemming was responsible for the health and safety of staff, looked after pensions and donations, and arranged Christmas parties for retired members.

His sense of caring did not stop in the workplace, with Mr Hemming being an active member of the Red Cross, where he was director of the Worcester branch.

He was also in the Worcester Hospital Contributors Association and a driver for the volunteer ambulance service.

Activities

As a keen participant in city activities, he also ran a boys brigade group, his work's football team, was secretary at his bowls club, and was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Other lifelong charity work included collecting for Muscular Dystrophy and recently raising money for the new Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester.

"He's raised thousands for charity over the years," said his son Chris. "As a child I always remember our house being full of boxes of bric-a-brac and donations from the community to raise money for the next charity sale."

Mr Hemming and his wife Mary celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year.

An active member of St Stephen's church, he leaves three sons, Chris, Andrew and Malcolm, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral is due to be held at St Oswalds Chapel in The Tything this Friday, December 21, at 2pm. Family flowers only but donations can be given to the Acorns Children's Hospice through E J Gumery & Son.