Tribute to 'Mr Thamesmead'

Trust Thamesmead pays tribute to its Life President Ted Claridge who sadly passed away on 7 September, after a long fight against serious illness.

Mr Claridge, who was 86, was universally known in the local community as ‘Mr Thamesmead', moved to Thamesmead from the east end of London in 1976 and worked tirelessly for the local community.

He raised thousands of pounds for young people's charities, was instrumental in improving leisure facilities for local people, including the construction of Thamesmere Leisure Centre and was a staunch supporter of local organisations for more than three decades.

Paying tribute to Mr Claridge, the Trust's Chair, Vic Grimes said: “Ted's commitment to the public good is well known and the contribution he made to the Trust's work cannot be underestimated.

“Prior to becoming our Life President he served for ten years as a loyal and valued Vice-Chair and although he was unable to take an active role in recent months his influence remained and he will be sorely missed.”

In 1996 Mr Claridge was elected a Freeman of Greenwich in 1996, primarily for his work in and for Thamesmead. He has also been Mayor of three London boroughs; Shoreditch, Hackney and Greenwich.

The funeral will be held at 11am on Wednesday 21 September 2011 at Eltham Crematorium. Ted's family have requested that no flowers are sent but donations be made to the Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice.