TRIBUTES have been paid to a Redditch community hero who helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local good causes.

Phillip Lawrence, known as Phil, served as Redditch Lions president three times in 17 years, dedicating his life to raising cash for the less fortunate.

He died on March 28 after battling the long-term effects of childhood polio and two major operations. 

The 73-year-old former Oakenshaw resident was a familiar face at town events and incredibly popular.

He lived in the town for 12 years before moving to Bromsgrove 10 years ago, where he resided until his death.

Phil put his best efforts into fund raising for Lions' good causes such as the Fun Day and the Halloween Fun Run, in memory of the event’s brainchild Phil Barton, and 'Message in a Bottle', an initiative urging residents to put medical conditions inside a bottle in the fridge in case of an emergency. 

Redditch Lions publicity officer Brian Rich said: "He was a terrific person. The best thing you could say about him is that he never found fault in anybody. 

"He had a wicked sense of humour. He will be sadly missed at the club and by his family and friends."

Phil had been a member of Bicester Lions and Studley Lions, before joining the Redditch Lions Club in 2000. 

He was born in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire in 1943. 

Apprenticed to Lucas when he left school, he later gained his Grad IMI repairing diesel engines. He worked as a diesel development engineer at Lucas Automotive (subsequently TRW) and then at Delphi, until he retired in 2007.

He loved large engineering like the Severn Valley Railway, and miniature engineering like the table-top village he assembled each Christmas.

He also enjoyed painting and photography. Most of all, he liked a good laugh with friends.

Phil leaves behind his wife Mags. 
His funeral will be held at Redditch Crematorium on April 24 at 2.45pm.

No flowers but donations to Redditch Lions Club are welcome. 

These will be shared equally between Sleep Apnoea Trust, a condition he suffered from, and the Rory the Robot Appeal.