John and Bernard McDonald were founder members of CREW, this came about because approximately 26 years ago, John suffered a heart attack. He recovered well from that but soon after he had a cardiac arrest. During his recovery, along with Bernard and several other patients, they realized from the help the cardiac nurses, rehabilitation team and the British Heart Foundation gave them, that there was a greater need in the community for a group who could offer both exercise and walking at a pace people could cope with. People who had heart and other related problems needed the confidence to get back on their feet; John gave talks to heart patients at the hospital to help them realize that life could be great again.
Over 20 years ago many people came together and formed CREW; many fund-raising events took place, which included BBQ’s and the start of the weekly lottery bonus ball. John knew from firsthand experience the value of having defibrillators in public places and funds were raised to purchase several, so they could be available at our exercise classes, on some of our walks, in public places – North Bridge Leisure Centre and Odsal Stadium.
Now Odsal Stadium was a place very dear to John’s heart; he had been taken by his father from an early age to watch the Bradford Northern Rugby League team play. As he grew up, he helped at the ground, lifting the corners of the pitch for the Speedway and Stockcar races. As years went by John and his wife became involved in the Bradford Northern Supporters Group, when this changed to Bradford Bulls, he became their Chairman and was instrumental in organizing many fund-raising events and arranging sponsorships for the club. For over 14 years he was the Bradford Bulls Timekeeper and only stopped doing this when his health deteriorated, and they moved to play in Dewsbury.
ohn’s many talents had grown over his working life, he had worked in many trades as a representative, sales manager, key accounts manager, so he could call on many different organizations to assist in his various fund raisings, which now included fund raising for CREW.
John and Ann attended many BHF events on behalf of CREW, they were part of the BHF campaign who attended the Houses of Parliament to get heart and related problems on to the government’s agenda.
John worked very hard for CREW from the very beginning, promoting the benefits of exercise for cardiac and other related health problems, along with being our finance officer.
He had a heart bypass operation in 2015, which was very successful and gave him a new lease of life, unfortunately over the last few years other health issues occurred and John sadly passed away in hospital on the 19th April 2020, at the age of 76. He leaves behind his wife Ann, their family and the many friends who have had the privilege of knowing John throughout his life.
