A WELL-KNOWN community figure from Whittington is set to represent a charity across Shropshire.

Charles Lillis, former High Sheriff of Shropshire, has been appointed as a patron of the British Red Cross

In his voluntary role, Mr Lillis will promote the organisation’s work, especially in rural communities.

Mr Lillis, whose grandmother was active in the Red Cross in Suffolk, lives near Oswestry and was the High Sheriff of Shropshire in 2017-18.

He has been on the boards of several charities in London and in Shropshire. These include Ellesmere College, where he is the chairman of governors, and Shropshire Rural Communities Charity, where he was a governor until 2017.

“I think that it’s very important to make people in Shropshire more aware of the excellent work the Red Cross does in the county," he said

“I am looking forward to doing everything I can to help the Red Cross to carry on spreading the power of kindness in Shropshire, a county where we inevitably suffer from the effects of social isolation.”

The Red Cross offers a variety of services in Shropshire including support at home after a stay in hospital, wheelchair loans and transport to medical appointments – as well as first aid training and cover at events, and support during emergencies like floods or severe weather.

Debra Tritton, president for the British Red Cross in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, added: “I am thrilled that Charles Lillis has joined us as patron. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of our work to tackle loneliness by helping people live independently at home.

"He has also been generous with his support of our annual Open Gardens event in Ludlow.”