Paul Simpson, a member of Northampton Becket Rotary, was on a solo walk of the 180-mile Offa’s Dyke when he was fatally hit by the tractor on the A44 between Kington and Lyonshall.
The 66-year-old was on the fourth day of the charity trek from Chepstow to Prestatyn, when the accident happened on September 12th.
During the pandemic, Paul had been delivering to food banks in Northamptonshire, including the Northampton Hope Centre, the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank, Castle Hill and Restore Northampton.
Northampton Becket Rotary had raised £6,000 to support this COVID-19 initiative, when demand for foodbanks has been at its highest in memory.
The club Past President between 2018 and 2019, who was a keen walker, decided to take on the Offa’s Dyke challenge to raise further funds to support foodbanks in the community.
Paul Simpson, a member of Northampton Becket Rotary, was on a solo walk of the 180-mile Offa’s Dyke when he was fatally hit by the tractor on the A44 between Kington and Lyonshall.
He was well known for organising major fund-raising events in Northampton, including the annual Dragon Boat Race, which he chaired for six years, and the Santa Fun Run.
Robert Martell from Northampton Becket, paid tribute to his colleague. He said: “We have lost a valued and highly-regarded member in tragic circumstances while supporting the work of Rotary.
“Paul, a dedicated walker, had decided that the Offa’s Dyke challenge would be another way to raise further funds to support the food banks in the community.
“Sadly he did not make it, but Paul died as he had loved doing something to help his community and friends who will sorely miss him.”
“Paul died as he had loved doing something to help his community and friends who will sorely miss him.”
Paying tribute in the Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Stan Evans from Northampton Rotary said: “Paul was a great guy who did a tremendous amount of work and will be sorely missed.
“He was chairman of the Dragon Boat Race, which raised a staggering amount of money over the years – we are talking tens of thousands of pounds.”
Paul died as he had loved doing something to help his community and friends who will sorely miss him.”
Amanda Watkin, General Secretary for Rotary Great Britain & Ireland commented: “This tragic accident has been felt by Paul’s friends within Rotary and by so many others within his community. Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends at this difficult time and our thanks are given for the many years of dedicated service he has given to Rotary.”
Paul was also involved in a campaign to feed 100 people with a free Christmas dinner at the Northampton Hope Centre.
Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends at this difficult time and our thanks are given for the many years of dedicated service he has given to Rotary.”
Fund-raising manager at the Hope Centre, Louise Danielczuk, told the newspaper: “Paul was an incredible support to Hope and a support to many charities across Northampton both through his work with Rotary and his own personal desire to help those less fortunate.
Paul was also involved in a campaign to feed 100 people with a free Christmas dinner at the Northampton Hope Centre.
“His passion and enthusiasm was infectious and his drive to help others has inspired many. Hope would like to send our sincere condolences to his family and all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.”
Paul leaves his wife Jane, children Helen and Graham and four grandchildren. Northampton Beckett Rotary has said it plans to arrange a memorial event in the near future.
Meanwhile, his fund-raising page is remaining open for anyone who would like to contribute to his fund-raising efforts.
