|
 NORMAN Simpson MBE, who died on 5 September, was the financial saviour of the Seagull Trust, which provides free canal cruises in Scotland for over 12,000 disabled people every year.
The trust was formed in 1978 by the late Rev Hugh Mackay, formerly minister of Torphichen, near the Union Canal He could not have found a better man than Norman Simpson, recently retired from the Royal Bank of Scotland, to be its honorary treasurer. Norman inherited a sizeable overdraft plus an order placed for a new boathouse. With enormous energy, he recruited a team of volunteers, mainly retired ex-servicemen and women, to set about raising funds.
At the start, the trust owned one second-hand narrow boat, gifted by a charity in England, and based at Ratho. By the time Norman retired (well, he never really did retire), the trust owned no fewer than eight boats, cruising out of Ratho, Falkirk, Kirkintilloch and Inverness, including a holiday craft for disabled families, based at the Falkirk Wheel - all paid for, or donated, and a handsome credit balance in the bank. The secrets of his success were industry, accuracy, cheerfulness and, one hardly need say, total integrity. The stamp book had to be squared before anyone could go home.
He was educated at George Heriot's School, of which hewas intensely proud, like most active men of his age when war was imminent, he joined the Territorial Army, little knowing that he would be away from home for the next six years. His unit was the 292 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery of the 94th (City of Edinburgh) Regiment They were soon in action when German bombers attempted to attack the Forth Bridge. At least one plane was shot down, crashing in the Lammermuirs. From tales told at post-war reunions one might believe there were many more. Most of his war service, however, was spent in the unpleasant heat of the Western Desert, and he took part in the crucial battle of El Alamein.
On demob, he returned to work in the National Bank, and ended his career as manager at the Newington, Mayfield and Gilmerton branches of the RBS in Edinburgh.
His last 30 years were spent at Fairmilehead, where he and his wife, Marie, enjoyed walking the hills and country dancing. He was an elder in the local parish church, and after his wife's death in 1992, his time was taken up with the Seagull Trust, gardening and general pottering.
He had married Marie in 1945 and had two children, Maureen and Murray, who survive him.
FRANK COUTTS
|
