A stalwart of St John Ambulance and a man who assisted in the development of the Keswick division has died, aged 86.
Peter Pope died at the town’s Millfield Retirement Home from complications around Parkinson’s Disease on November 3.
Born in Southampton on June 2, 1936, Peter joined St John Ambulance in 1953. He continued with them even when he moved to Manchester, London and then Portinscale in 1993.
Peter worked as a chartered engineer in medical devices until moving to Cumbria where he concentrated his efforts in the voluntary sector.
He rose to the rank of superintendent in the first aid organisation where he was able to assist in the development of Keswick division.
Peter was instrumental in several volunteers advancing into medical careers including doctors, ambulance staff and pharmacists.
He was present at the start of the Keswick community first responders group and was very active in the formation and training of the group as well as being on the committee for many years.
Although having no children of their own, Peter and his wife Maggie were involved in fostering children while in London. Peter retired from voluntary work in 2008 through ill health, eventually moving to Penrith a couple of years ago.
He is survived by his widow and his presence is missed among the local voluntary sector.
