Top honour for selfless Rotarian

PRESTIGIOUS award . . . (from left) Malcolm Hill (Saddleworth Rotary Club president), Councillor Alma McInnes (Chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council), John Ainley and district governor Elizabeth Tatman

A TOP Oldham lawyer has received rotary’s highest honour for his outstanding contribution to the community.

John Ainley, a member of Saddleworth Rotary Club for 18 years, has been presented with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship.

In an emotional speech at the club’s charter night at their headquarters at the White Hart, Lydgate, Mr Ainley said: “I feel deeply honoured and privileged to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship.

“It never occurred to me I was worthy of this award. I have done no more than many others who try to put something back into our community and raise money for those in need.

“Rotary’s motto is ‘Service above Self’ and we all do our best to accomplish this high ideal.”

Announcing the award, fellow Rotarian David Leach said: “John has benefited hundreds of people in the community with help, advice and voluntary service.

“In addition, his charitable and benevolent hand has directly or indirectly, helped thousands more needy souls in Africa and other third world countries.”

Mr Ainley, a lawyer in the borough for 40 years and now a senior partner in North, Ainsley Halliwell, was Saddleworth Rotary club president in 1997-98.

He was a founder member and past chairman of Oldham Medlock Vale Round Table, a member of 41 Club and is chairman of the committee hosting this year’s Saddleworth Show organised by Saddleworth and Metro Rotary clubs.

He was elected Rotary’s representative on the former Community Health Council and served on the board of Eastland Homes, a social housing association.

A governor and then vice-chairman of the governors at the Oldham Hulme Grammar Schools, Mr Ainley was also a trustee of Age Concern in Oldham.

He has raised funds to provide malaria nets in Africa and the Seri Cahaya Orphanage in Penang, Malaysia.

He is also involved with a charity providing an interactive fly-fishing experience for children with learning disabilities.

Until recently, he was chairman of the Manchester branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, a prestigious international legal organisation. He still serves on the committee.

And with business partner Geoff Lamb, he provides financial support for local youth sporting activities including Chaddy End FC, Oldham Cricket Development Group, working with schools in Oldham to encourage sport at a young age.