Loughrea ex-pat leaves lasting legacy in adopted city with help of ex-colleagues
A Galway man who spent most of his life as a tyre worker in the English Midlands is doing his bit on a number of fronts to make life better for so many in his adopted home city of Wolverhampton.
Cyril Barrett, who is originally from Cross Street in Loughrea, is the Chairman/Trustee of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund Charity – a group entirely comprised of ex-Goodyear workers.
That plant closed in June 2015 – but since then Cyril and his colleagues have completed over 120 projects, supporting more than 40 charities, in Wolverhampton - all funded by these ex-union members.
And they’ve just added two more in perfect time for Christmas – co-funding a vital piece of medical equipment for the breast care unit at Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital, and then purchasing over 300 family meals for two local food band charities in the city.
“As a child I was lucky to have wonderful Christmases,” said Cyril, “and I hope in some way these family meals will put a smile of relief to families that are facing difficult times.”
His ex-Goodyear colleagues joined with former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Phil Parkes to donate over £30,000 to fund equipment to help Wolverhampton breast care patients.
Phil’s wife died from cancer – and the Maureen Parkes Breast Care Fund was established in her memory.
The money raised has been used to buy three lipomodelling pieces of equipment
Lipomodelling – or fat grafting – is the process of relocating fat to improve the shape, volume, consistency and profile of breast tissue, which is widely applied following breast cancer surgery.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) previously had only one such machine – which was also funded by the 5/344 TGWU Benevolent Scheme – but having only one restricted the number of cases that could be done as the handsets must be sterilised after each procedure.
“This was a truly special day,” said Cyril.
“Two organisations have joined forces to buy pieces of equipment to improve the health and wellbeing of patients.
“The community will benefit, and this will fit in with the plan we have got to leave a fitting legacy for the people of Wolverhampton and the surrounding area.
“We as an organisation have spent over £400,000 on buying equipment for the Trust because we believe passionately in the NHS and the work you do.
“I recall meeting Sheila Edwards, Trustee of the Maureen Parkes Breast Care Fund, years ago and her bending my ear for biopsy guns and you got two that time!
“She’s a very persuasive lady and is determined to do whatever she can to get projects done to benefit patients in memory of Maureen Parkes.”
Sheila was a Healthcare Assistant on the Breast Care Unit before retiring last year after 43 years’ service with the NHS.
During her long career, Sheila helped care for Maureen, and the pair became close friends. Having beaten breast cancer in 1995, Maureen set up the Maureen Parkes Breast Cancer Fund, before she sadly passed away with stomach cancer in April 2010 at the age of 62.
“We’re delighted to be able to provide this equipment and know it will benefit breast care patients. Maureen would be proud to know it how it has helped people from the local area,” Phil told local media at the unveiling.
Cyril – who is one of 13 children and whose brothers Oliver, Matt, Tom and Charlie and their extended families still live in Loughrea – is very proud of his Galway roots and upbringing, which he credits for his continuing work to this day.
“We as a family were brought up well by James and Annie Barrett, Cross Street Loughrea; they taught us to be decent,” he said.