Norman Ridley supported death-row inmates in Changi prison, Singapore, cared for the destitute across Britain and in later life championed the work of Cycling Without Age in Perth.
He earned the nickname Stormin’ Norman and became a great supporter of the organisation which runs motorised trishaws to take elderly people on trips around the city and its hinterland.
Star side
In his youth, Norman, who has died aged 85, counted both Bobby and Jackie Charlton as team-mates in his school football side at Ashington, Northumberland.
Underpinning all his activities, however, was Norman’s Christian faith. For 70 years he lived his commitment through service around the world.
Dedication
He first attended a Salvation Army meeting in Ashington in 1950. Two years later he signed his Articles of War from which he never wavered for the rest of his life.
Norman’s two years’ National Service were spent as an ambulance driver in the RAF before he moved to Perth in 1957.
It was there he met his future wife, Mary Crockart, and the couple married at the city’s Salvation Army citadel the following year.
Training
They raised three children in Perth, Ilene, Norman and Lorna and, in 1967 the family moved to London where Norman and Mary embarked on officer training with the Salvation Army.
After two years they were commissioned, then for the next 10 years, they served as corps officers at Strathaven, Coatbridge, Stockbridge, Penicuik and Bridgeton.
In 1978, Norman and Mary transferred to the Salvation Army’s social services department and until 1993, worked in men’s hostels in Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Glasgow and London.
Their son, Norman, said: “Every night they cared for up to 400 men, homeless, some with addictions including to alcohol; people at a low point in their lives.
“They took them, bathed them, clothed then fed them and arranged for their physical and mental needs.
Far East
“They helped them get back into mainstream life and find jobs and housing.”
In 1993, Norman and Mary were transferred to Singapore but to different appointments.
Norman was chaplain at Changi prison and Singapore boys’ home, while Mary was in charge of a home for 280 children.
“My father provided counselling and support to prisoners, some on death row, and their families and together they cared for children, many with troubled lives,” said Norman.
The coupled returned to Perth in 1997 and despite being retired, Norman continued to work in offender rehabilitation.
Cycling
Four years ago he became involved in Cycling Without Age, raising funds and providing support and encouragement.
Norman was often the public face of the organisation in Perth, photographed on a trishaw promoting its work.
He was predeceased by Mary and is survived by Ilene, Norman and Lorna, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.