Ilminster platoon sergeant praises town's community spirit (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Ilminster platoon sergeant praises town's community spirit

8:10am Sunday 5th February 2012 in Ilminster By Jamie Brooks

AN Ilminster Territorial Army platoon sergeant has praised the town’s community spirit following the support he has received since a motorcycle accident in the summer.

George Pas, 36, of the Crescent, featured in the News in November, after attending the town’s remembrance service following the accident in July which left him in a wheelchair.

George has not been able to work since the incident and it has proved almost impossible for him to pay his bills, let alone normal living costs.

But acts of kindness have left him overwhelmed. Minster Veterinary Surgery arranged support with medicated prescription food for his dog Duke and before Christmas, the Ilminster Under-11s football team – who his daughter Dana plays for – gave him a special present.

George said: “To my astonishment the team gathered around and told of a sponsored walk they had organised and completed to raise some money to assist us in buying some things for Christmas. Had it not been for this show of immense kindness, Christmas would have been a complete non-starter.”

“The people in the community who supported the team’s walk by sponsoring them showed the true spirit that makes Ilminster what it is and for this I thank them.”

Finally, George wanted to thank everyone who stopped to help him following an accident when his wheelchair fell backwards into the road.

A young woman called for help from the emergency services and stayed with him until they arrived. George added: “For me now the fight continues, to try to heal. Ultimately my goal is to once again walk around the town I have lived in since I was a year old.”