"I am humble, grateful. I don't feel worthy but thank you so much. Thank you for a memorable day."
Video shot by Cllr Mohammed Ayub (Yubi)
Edited by Sophie Mei Lan
Video shot by Cllr Mohammed Ayub (Yubi)
Edited by Sophie Mei Lan
Category
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NewsTranscript
00:00 I was five and three when we moved to Wakefield.
00:05 And they are proud Yorkshiremen and drink Yorkshire tea.
00:10 [LAUGHTER]
00:12 And they love short beans.
00:14 [LAUGHTER]
00:17 My rock was my wife, Anne, who has a beautiful saying about it.
00:24 I wouldn't be up here today without her.
00:29 Support, which has been amazing.
00:32 [LAUGHTER]
00:37 Excuse me.
00:39 This is the longest we've lived anywhere, 34 years.
00:45 Amazing, really.
00:47 I was a bit of a nomad as a footballer.
00:52 Really didn't settle at all.
00:55 I'd be close to three years spells and then move on.
01:00 And so for us to be 34 years in Wakefield is a great place, I have to say.
01:12 The saying goes, never forget where you're coming from.
01:18 Or does that take back?
01:20 [LAUGHTER]
01:22 Never forget-- oh, I'm stealing your thunder.
01:27 [LAUGHTER]
01:29 Although earlier he gave us a rendition of a song.
01:35 [LAUGHTER]
01:38 Sort of, he said.
01:41 I was born and bred in Middlesbrough, and I'm proud of that.
01:46 But Wakefield is my home.
01:49 It's important in my book when you are lucky enough to have the career like I have,
01:58 to make sure that you give back.
02:01 [INAUDIBLE] six charities and do all the other stuff for charities.
02:08 I do try to help out as much as I can.
02:13 Two charities that give me pleasure-- they all give me pleasure,
02:19 but these are two charities that give me so much back.
02:26 One is the Sunflower Children's Action Group in the Rainsfield.
02:32 I go there every year to do the Christmas party.
02:37 We used to take the children to Lapland, but unfortunately we did six years of flying out to Lapland
02:49 and the children with life-limiting illnesses, it sped up their time.
02:57 [INAUDIBLE]
03:06 My main answer, as you know.
03:11 And the other one is my hospital charities in Pinderfield that I do with Charlie and Craig's King and Dave and Maria.
03:27 It gives you so much pleasure.
03:29 I get to meet the real heroes, the doctors and nurses, and get to chat to them.
03:38 And then the piece de resistance.
03:43 My wife said I wouldn't be able to say that without a crutch.
03:48 [LAUGHTER]
03:53 I'll say it again.
03:54 [LAUGHTER]
03:58 The piece de resistance.
04:01 [APPLAUSE]
04:09 We get to take the presents to the children's wards.
04:14 It's amazing.
04:16 I'm dressed as an elf with Dave and Maria Santa with him.
04:21 It's emotional but joyous at the same time.
04:26 That brings me to say thank you to the Mayor of Wakefield, Josie.
04:33 Thank you for presenting me with this award.
04:38 She told me last week that she's done over 400 appearances as mayor.
04:47 She said this is her greatest honour.
04:52 Even if it was a small fit, I'm so grateful.
04:57 [LAUGHTER]
04:59 Thank you.
05:05 Then it brings me on to the lady that put me forward for this prestigious award, Denise.
05:15 I'm humbled, grateful, and I've told her I don't feel worthy.
05:28 But what an honour.
05:31 Thank you so much.
05:33 And thank you everyone for making it a wonderful day.
05:40 Thank you.
05:41 [APPLAUSE]
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06:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]