90-year-old Jewish volunteer is awarded the Freedom of the Borough in Greater Manchester

A 90-year-old Jewish volunteer and AJEX representative in Bury has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough for his public service in Greater Manchester.

Henry Donn, who was born in Prestwich in 1931, is a former Justice of the Peace (JP) and councillor who is best known for the Whitefield art gallery he owns. He was made a Freeman by Bury Council last week.

“I got my MBE from Prince Charles six years ago at Buckingham Palace and now, aged 90, this further honour is the icing on the cake,” he said. “I’d like to feel that I accepted the honour on behalf of the wonderful hospitals and organisations that I was privileged to serve over the years.”

Donn’s interest in art stemmed from his friendship with the artist L.S. Lowry, but it is his volunteering that has made most difference, serving on the boards of a nursing home, a maternity home, an area health authority, the local St John’s Ambulance, and six hospitals, including the Jewish Hospital.

He continues to represent the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX) laying the wreath laying at Whitefield Cenotaph.

The Mayor of Bury, Cllr Tim Pickstone, said: “It was a huge honour to grant Freedom of the Borough to Mr Donn. This is something we don’t do very often in Bury, but on this occasion the honour was richly deserved.”