Huddersfield’s Liam Hodgson spent over 12 hours clearing deep snow from paths and car parks yesterday – and he’s back out again today.
Liam volunteered to clear paths and steps at Lindley Liberal Club so that local people and the elderly had somewhere to go for the day. He then popped in to Lindley Grange care home which is one of his neighbours. He cleared paths and the car park, ensuring deliveries could get through, while staff brought out coffees to keep him warm.
Liam, a boxer who is well known across Huddersfield and Halifax, then got a message to say that Overgate Hospice in Elland was struggling because of heavy snow. He helped clear paths, a car park and an ambulance bay so it was safe for staff to access the hospice. He also dug out a few cars that were stuck in deep snow.
When he was done Liam says he was ‘soaked to the bone’ and freezing cold as the temperature had dropped. He was determined to help the hospice as his grandad died there. Liam told Yorkshire Live: “My grandad passed away some years ago in the hospice; they made him have such a peaceful send off when he suffered from pain the majority of his life.
“Me and my family couldn’t have thanked them enough for their outstanding care they gave him. In fact it brought memories back when I was shovelling – memories of me pushing him around the hospice garden and building for the last time so it hit home quite a bit and I had to do a good job and not quit even though the weather was horrendous.”
Liam said he wanted to help the community and demonstrate to young people that it “doesn’t cost anything to be kind”.
He said: “I just want to get my point across especially to the fit and healthy, to the up and coming youths that in such unfortunate times with the weather, it does not cost anything to be kind and to check on the elderly or disabled or anyone who’s vulnerable.
“Checking on them could be life saving in those times if they’re on their own. You never know what anyone’s going through. I like to hope I did the community proud and if I can do all that in one day by myself with one shovel imagine if people came together it would make the world a far more happier and safer environment for everyone in the community.
“Seeing all those smiles on peoples faces when I finished my work meant I’ve done my job well and they appreciate that graft.” Liam said he will be back out today as there had been more snow and people were asking for help.
Bupa’s Lindley Grange Care Home thanked Liam for his hard work, saying: “We would like to say a big thank you to this young man Liam. He came and asked if he could help by clearing our path, he said he was a neighbour and was out helping the community. What a generous man!”
Liam is well known across West Yorkshire for his work in club and bar security and as a boxer and bareknuckle fighter.
Liam Hodgson clearing paths of snow at Bupa’s Lindley Grange Care Home, Huddersfield
(Image: BUPA UK/Lindley Grange Care Home)
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