First Minister joins council leader in paying tribute to ‘community champion’

First Minister Mark Drakeford and council Leader Huw David have paid tribute to David White, a former member of Bridgend County Borough Council who passed away recently following a short illness.

In addition to spending almost 30 years working in social services, David served as chair for the City And County Of Swansea branch of Unison, and held a number of local community positions ranging from a school governor for Heronsbridge, as a trustee of West Ward Community Centre, and as a board member of BAVO, the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations.

He was extremely active in local politics, serving as a member of Bridgend Town Council and also as Bridgend Town Mayor between 2015-16. In 2012, he became a councillor for Bridgend County Borough Council, representing what was then known as the Newcastle ward.

Whether it was food banks or coffee mornings, charity book sales or dressing up as Father Christmas for festive events, David was constantly working to promote local good causes in his own free time, and spent his life raising funds for numerous charities. He was a selfless individual who dedicated his entire life towards supporting other people, a community champion who never sought recognition for his efforts.

Nevertheless, his commitment towards the local community which he loved so much was ultimately recognised with an Unsung Heroes Trustee award from BAVO, where he was described as being ‘a community activist through to his core, always going the extra mile to help people in the area.’ Shortly before he passed away, David was also recognised with a Mayoral Citizenship Award. His nomination form described him as having ‘…contributed much to both Bridgend town and county through his public service roles as well as through voluntary service’.

It also stated that ‘Despite his current ill health and the challenges he faces on a daily basis, David continues to think of others, and to be of service wherever and whenever he can. He continues to work tirelessly for others in his voluntary capacities. The nomination concludes by saying ‘A kinder and more deserving man would be hard to find’. I think this is a very fitting tribute to the sort of well-regarded man David was, and I hope that knowing he was held in such high respect brings some comfort now to David’s wife, Jacquie, his children, and his grandchildren.

Councillor Huw David

First Minister Mark Drakeford also paid tribute to David. He said: “David White dedicated his working life to supporting others, with a lengthy career in social services, in the union movement, as a town and county councillor, and as a volunteer in his local community.

“He was well regarded and known as someone who would go the extra mile to help others, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”