Hectic life of human whirlwind Edward

Charity Worker Edward Highton . . . a well known face in Lees and Oldham town centre.

IF you thought you had a busy schedule, then spare a thought for Edward Highton.

The 58-year-old, who holds down a number of different jobs as well as charity work, could be described as a lunchtime supervisor, a cleaner, a lollipop man — but the term human whirlwind might be more apt.

And now his efforts have been rewarded with a Pride in Oldham nomination.

A stunned Edward said: “I thought it was a joke when I was told I had been nominated. I’m really gobsmacked. I just enjoy what I do.”

Edward is up with the larks at 5am to go to work as a cleaner at the Cheeky Chimps indoor play area in Lees, before he heads over to Warrington Street, also in Lees, to help local schoolchildren to cross the road.

He then heads over to Hey with Zion School in Rowland Way, Lees, where he works as a senior lunch time supervisor, before heading back to his lollipop duty and then going on to St Edward’s primary, also in Rowland Way, where he works as a cleaner.

Injuries

And if this was not enough to keep him busy, he also sells the War Cry each Saturday in Oldham town centre as part of his volunteer work for the Salvation Army.

Father of-three Edward, from Gibraltar Street, first started working in schools seven years ago and it is a far cry from the job he did before as a pallet maker at Factory Reconstruction at Mumps.

Injuries picked up when playing rugby for local teams put paid to that job, but opened up a whole new career which he says is altogether more satisfying.

And as a qualified first aider with a good listening ear, Edward patches up the children’s wounds and helps them to navigate the highs and lows of school life in between organising the lunchtime rush.

“I like knowing lots of people in the community and I always take time to get to know the children and listen to them,” he said.

“If I can help the children, I will, and other times I will take them to teachers or the head teacher. One lad told me that he was having trouble at home, so I took him to a teacher and it was all sorted out in the end.”

Edward is also a keen volunteer with the Salvation Army and is a well known face in Curzon Street, where he sells copies of the War Cry each weekend.

“I’ve been in the Salvation Army for more than seven years now,” he said.

“It all started when my daughter wanted somewhere to go on Friday nights, so I took her along to the Army’s Friday club, where they play games and read extracts from the Bible, and my involvement started from there.”

Now, as well as selling the War Cry, Edward also gives up some of his weekends to accompany youngsters from the church on trips to Wales and beyond and helps out at the Friday club.

“I’m a lot happier since I joined the Salvation Army,” he said.

“My family say it’s made me lot calmer and I’m really happy doing the jobs that I do. I really enjoy it all.”

Lisa Lancaster, who nominated Edward, along with the deputy head teacher at Hey with Zion, Andrew Clowes, said: “My Children used to go to the holiday club at the Salvation Army and Edward would give his time and help out there. All the children really respected him and got on with him and he’s a well liked figure in the local community.”

Mr Clowes added: “Edward is just a brilliant person. The work he does for the community is great and I hope he wins the award for all the time and effort the puts in.”