Eric Smith

Eric is my Dad, and he is a true hero in every sense of the word. In 1962 he won the George Medal as a helicopter rescue winchman on the wreck of the Jeanne Gougy at Lands End but to me he is a hero in many other ways. When my mum died (I was 14) Dad looked after me and guided me. When my brother was run over and nearly died a few years later Dad was a tower of strength for us all. My sister suffered from bi-polar disorder for more than 20 years, it could be very difficult to have a normal relationship with her but Dad never stopped loving her. He was devastated when she died this year but he has carried his grief in such a dignified way that it inspires me to try to do the same. Dad ran the local Air Cadet unit for years; he inspired many young men to go on to be good citizens and inspired my brother and I to join the RAF and serve our country. I often meet people who ask after him and tell me what an example he has been in their lives, it makes me so proud of him I could burst. Through all of his challenges and achievements Eric has run a business which has employed several people over the years, it has never made him rich but he has been proud of building his own business which has been yet another way that he has contributed to his community. At the age of 75, he runs his business, and organises trips for the 'old folks', the war veterans in Woking Aircrew Association. He is a British citizen hero who would be a great example carrying the torch in front of the world.