Disabilities Champion and ‘ordinary Lad’ Simon is New Ribble Valley Mayor
A former paint sprayer and passionate advocate of people with disabilities is Ribble Valley’s new mayor.
Disabilities champion and ‘ordinary lad’ Simon O’ Rourke received his civic chains at a ceremony in the Ribble Valley Borough Council Chamber.
Born and brought up in Clitheroe, Simon attended Ribblesdale High School and Blackburn College, then worked at a Lancashire haulier AJA Smith Transport as a vehicle finisher.
But a life-changing road traffic accident in 2003 left him a full-time wheelchair-user, after which he channelled his experience into founding a charity that loaned mobility equipment to other people with disabilities.
He was elected to Clitheroe Town Council as representative for Salthill in 2011 and in 2018 underwent a lower limb amputation, which enabled him to walk using a prosthetic and significantly improved his quality of life.
By now his passion for public life was unstoppable and after receiving a Clitheroe Town Award for community service he was elected to Ribble Valley Borough Council as representative for Edisford and Low Moor in 2019.
He said: “I was just an ordinary lad, but the accident left me a full-time wheelchair user, which was a real shock, particularly that I had two young children.
“But I decided to channel my energy into helping others by founding a charity that loaned mobility equipment to other people with disabilities.
“It was a big success and we were the first charity to loan all-terrain mobility vehicles, called trampers, to enable people with restricted mobility to visit our beautiful countryside.
“Little did I know that one day an ordinary lad like me would become mayor, which is an incredible honour, and I am particularly proud that my wife, Donna, who has always been by my side, is my mayoress.”
As well as being a borough councillor, Simon is a trustee of several local charities, including Ribble Valley Crossroads Care, the Little Green Bus and Roefield Leisure.
He and Donna, who is also a borough councillor, representing the Salthill ward of Clitheroe, have two adult children and one grandchild.
His chosen charities are the Foundation for Ribble Valley Families and the East Lancashire Hospice.