A FORDINGBRIDGE man is not letting age stop him as he continues to run a club for older people as well as still being a keen walker.

Bill Edwards has been running the Monday Club, which gives older people the chance to get out and go on different trips, for more than 10 years.

He celebrated his 90th birthday last week.

“I always like doing things for other people and I’m not one of those that expects rewards. I get a lot of satisfaction [from helping people],” he said.

“It helps older people in the town finding it difficult to get out and about. It is more like a family and everybody enjoys it.”

Mr Edwards previously lived in the Alderbury area and helped run his family’s shop in the village before running a mobile shop which served areas in and around Salisbury.

He has also been involved in Scouting for a considerable number of years and supports Fordingbridge Museum.

On reaching the milestone birthday, he said: “It is funny really. I honestly don’t know how I got this far.

“I’ve always been positive and very active.”

To mark the occasion he asked for donations instead of presents to support The Gurkha Welfare Trust. He has already raised £400 and hopes to reach £500. Donations can be handed it at The George in Fordingbridge.

He wanted to give the donation as a thank you to the Gurkhas who saved his father Harold’s life when he served in the 4th Wilts Regiment.

Harold was shot in the leg trying to save a fellow soldier during an ambush when he was serving in India during the First World War. He was pulled to safety by the Gurkhas who took him to a field hospital.

Mr Edwards said “He was very lucky. Sadly, the chap he tried to get out died. I’m very grateful to the Gurkhas.”