A Penrith man who dedicated his time to helping animals and campaigned for the rights of disabled people has died aged 63.
Tim Wilson — known as ‘Nev’ or ‘Nevbo’ — was taken to hospital with COVID-19 symptoms last month and died on June 21.
Born on April 24 1958, Tim was the son of John and Norma Wilson of Keswick.
He grew up in the town with his late older brother Barry, his brother Mark and sister April who both survive him.
Tim went to school in Keswick and then held various jobs around the town in areas such as catering and also road construction when the A66 was being laid through the Lakes.
During the 1970s he also worked as a DJ and had a residency at the Royal Oak Hotel in Keswick.
He left Keswick in the early 80s to work at a Butlins holiday camp in Clacton-on-Sea.
At various times he moved to London, France — where he became fluent in the language — Kent and Blackpool, before making his home in Cumbria around 15 years ago.
He initially lived in Maryport before moving to Penrith.
During Tim’s time in the town he successfully campaigned for the rights of disabled people — on both a local and national level. This was aided by his legal knowledge having gained a BA honours degree in law through a distance-learning course.
Described by his friend Carol Jeffreys as a “kind-hearted man who would help anyone”, Tim in recent years joined a group of Eden and southern Scotland-based volunteers who work to find lost dogs.
Carol said: “Tim used to help us finding lost dogs using his drone and would also pick up deceased cats from the road and scan and take them to the vets so the owner could get closure.
“He worked away quietly helping and never claimed any publicity or reward. He was responsible for so many dogs being found safe.
“Tim would sit in the woods all night quietly with smelly food to lure the lost dog out. He would always help anyone and had a heart of gold.”
He also volunteered with CERT UK helping people in crisis.
While in Penrith he lived at Tynefield and in 2015 featured on television show Neighbours From Hell with complaints against a neighbour who allowed chickens and cockerels to roam the area.
Tim’s funeral was held at Crosthwaite Church, Keswick, last week, with donations in his memory to Eden Animal Rescue.
