Thomas Baker

There can be very few lives in Chester-le-Street that Tom has not inspired, although many may not even know it. For 40 years he has organised the Boys Junior School Football League and run the School District Football Team. This has involved at least 2 nights a week and every Saturday morning training and running teams, as well as much background work. Over 200 boys a year have played in this league and it has even produced some professional footballers. He has also recently extended this to girls' football. In addition, for 34 years, he has organised Interschool Cross Country Competitions for 3 weeks in January which 200 children a year run in and an Athletic Competition in June for over 400 children. Few areas of the country have access to so much junior school sport as Chester-le-Street and most of this is down to Tom. Since retiring as a teacher 4 years ago he has continued in his enthusiasm for organising school sport and has also become involved in work with homeless people at the Peoples' Kitchen in Newcastle.