Member Article

Hero’s welcome at Goodison Park for World War Two veteran

Everton in the Community’s oldest participant, World War Two veteran Tom Beevers, received a hero’s welcome at Goodison Park as he celebrated his 105th birthday.

Everton Veterans’ Hub participant and Evertonian, Tom, was treated to a complementary brunch at Goodison Park to mark turning 105, and arrived at the ground to a rapturous reception with a guard of honour formed by Royal Tank Regiment veterans and staff from Everton and Everton in the Community.

Tom – who served with the 7th Armoured Division of the British Army, also received a signed Everton shirt with 105 on the back before enjoying a meal surrounded by his family at an executive box suite in the Park End stand.

Tom’s regiment, otherwise known as the renowned Desert Rats, saw distinguished active service in North Africa during World War Two. In 2018, Tom became a participant of the charity’s Everton Veterans’ Hub which supports veterans who are at risk of isolation and poor mental health through a range of engagement tools, support mechanisms and evidence-based behavioural change methods to improve the lives of veterans and their families.

As well as being supported by the Club’s official charity, Tom has also received additional support and assistance from the Club by way of general home maintenance, adapting his house to his changing circumstances.

Joining Tom and family at Goodison, Everton Veterans’ Hub programme manager, Dave Curtis, a former veteran himself, spoke of his admiration for the Everton-supporting great-great-Grandfather.

Dave said: “It’s of the upmost importance to us as a charity to acknowledge the life and times of our oldest participant, and the sacrifices he and his fellow servicemen and women all those years ago.

“It has been a real privilege to be with Tom and his family as he marks his 105th birthday. Since engaging with us four years ago, Tom has become a much-loved member, and probably one of our most famous participants here at Everton in the Community.”

Lynn Davidson, Tom’s daughter added: “Tom’s birthday is always a special day for us; to celebrate it at Goodison surrounded by family with a delicious meal makes it that even more special, and the reception we received on arrival was incredibly moving!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .