A 'good and loving' St John Ambulance worker has died, aged 83 - with an honorary award being passed to his wife.

John Fawcett, from Darwen, died on Wednesday, January 26, in Royal Blackburn Hospital with his family beside him.

John joined the St John Ambulance service as a cadet in 1950, at the age of 12, and 71 years later, he was made the recipient of the Gold Award medal from the Order of St. John.

Sadly the award will now be presented posthumously to his wife Joan, following his death.

St John Ambulance Cumbria and Lancashire District Manager, Philip Brierley said: "John was a stalwart of the organisation and well known by many other volunteers, he got on very well with all the cadets, badgers and adult volunteers at the Darwen unit.”

During his lengthy service, John became a divisional officer of St John Ambulance and a serving brother of the Order of St John.

As an Blackburn Rovers fan, he enjoyed merging both of these pursuits when he regularly attended Ewood Park on behalf of the service.

On top of his work with St John, when he and Joan retired from their bakers shop in New Bank Road, Blackburn in 1999 after 33 years, he took the opportunity of more spare time to increase his volunteer work by joining the “meals on wheels” service.

The Women's Volunteer Service started the service during the Blitz when many people lost their homes and therefore couldn’t cook their own food.

John obviously enjoyed being of service to others, as he also volunteered as a driver for the Lancashire Ambulance Car Service.

As per his request, a story of The Good Samaritan be read at his funeral - a tale which explains how we should love thy neighbour, have kindness without discrimination and reach out to others who may be in need of help.

John's son Andrew Fawcett said: "He certainly lived up to his beliefs in his actions, throughout his whole life and now, his grandson Cameron is following John’s example by becoming a paramedic.

"John will be very sadly missed by his wife Joan, son Andrew and daughter-in-law Joy, grand-children Oliver, Phoebe, Cameron & their partners. Also great grandchildren Emilia, Penelope & Poppy.

"His selfless dedication to his community will be acknowledged by the St John Ambulance Service volunteers, who will form a guard of honour at his funeral."

The funeral will be held on Thursday, February 10, at St Cuthbert’s Church, Darwen at 2pm, followed by cremation at Pleasington Crematorium at 3pm.

As John specifically requested, his ashes will be scattered at Darwen Tower - facing his beloved home town.

Family flowers only, or if so desired, donations may be made in his memory to Cancer Research UK through The Alty Funeral Service.