Blackburn community champion Joe Prest dies aged 88 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn community champion Joe Prest dies aged 88

11:05am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Nafeesa Shan, Reporter

A PIONEERING community champion has died aged 88.

Joe Prest was instrumental in raising over £3million for the first CT and MRI scanners for East Lancashire’s hospitals.

He was also one of the founders, and an early chairman, of Blackburn Civic Society which encouraged the clean up and restoration of landmark buildings, including Richmond Terrace.

And he was the founding governor of Westholme School in 1968 as well as a governor at QEGs, where he served for 34 years.

Mr Prest, who was married to the late Peggy, leaves children David, Richard and Alison and grandchildren Rachel, Catherine and Sarah.

A family tribute, led by son David, said: “The whole family is incredibly proud of all his achievements over the years.

"He was a true Blackburnian in every sense. He was always keen to support those who shared his passion to improve the cultural and educational landscape of the town as well as the experience of living in it.”

The Manchester University graduate, and former QEGS pupil, worked as a civil engineer before he joined the family bakery business.

Later, he was appointed as the managing director of Kenyons, a Blackburn-based bakery and confectionery business.

As well as becoming captain of Blackburn Golf Club in 1959 and Pleasington Golf Club in 1981, Mr Prest was chair of the Blackburn sub-committee of the East Lancashire Scanner Appeal.