Ronnie Reeves

Ronald (Ronnie) was born into a showman family and is a member of the Showman''s Guild and during the summer, in his younger years of life, toured the country with his family with children's' amusements. In the winter time Ronnie became an amateur wrestler with the United Wrestling Club and eventually went on to become a professional referee. In 1980 Ronnie became the Worshipful Master of the Volentes Lodge 4052, where he broke all records raising money for The Great Ormond Street Hospital. Ronnie was the founder and instigator of the Freewheelers Social Club, which raised £100,000 for The Great Ormond Street Hospital. During this time he purchased an antique barrel organ which he pushed around the streets and raised £250,000. In 1991Ronnie was awarded the British Empire Medal and he also received The Freedom of the City of London. In November 2006 Ronnie received a tragic spinal injury and was told he would never walk again. In November 2007 Ronnie was discharged fro Salisbury Spinal Rehabilitation Hospital completely paralised from the waist down. From sheer willpower and determination he taught himself to walk again. He resat his driving test , which Ronnie passed with flying colours. At the age of 89 years old, he still continues to push his barrel organ around the streets to raise enormous sums of money for his local church and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.