A COMMUNITY is mourning the death of a charity champion and author.
Douglas Vernon, 85, of Woodlands Road, Shotley Bridge, County Durham, was awarded the MBE for services to the community in the New Year Honours of 2000.
The former manager at Consett steelworks moved to the area in 1954. An active member of the local Rotary Club, he was involved with several charities dedicated to the disabled and blind people.
He was a founder member of the Shotley Bridge Village Trust and was instrumental in the fight by the Shotley Bridge Memorial Cottages Trust to save buildings built in the 1920s for ex-servicemen.
The campaign succeeded and the cottages now cater for ex-military personnel.
Mr Vernon also published a book, Thread of Iron, about the history of the Shotley Bridge area.
Mr Vernon is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at Mountsett Crematorium, near Burnopfield, at 1.15pm.
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