Maidstone marvel celebrates 100th birthday
Second world war veteran Charlie Pallett celebrates his 100th birthday today (6 April) and instead of presents, he has been receiving donations to Help for Heroes.
Charlie, a Golding customer who lives in Maidstone, has shot to fame, after being inspired by the late Sir Captain Tom Moore, to do some fundraising of his own. Charlie who has always loved singing, recorded his own version of wartime classic “Keep right on to the end of the road” with the initial goal to raise £1,000 for the armed forces and veteran’s charity.
On the morning of his birthday Charlie appeared for the second time on BBC Breakfast which helped to further smash his fundraising target, with him reaching more than £27,000 and the figure continues to rise.
Speaking at his Shepway home he said: “It has been mind-blowing seeing the money coming in. This all came about because I was thinking of my own injured colleagues and friends and wanted to do something to help them. I never dreamed this would happen, it's just wonderful."
Golding Homes Interim Chief Executive Sue Chalkley, who paid Charlie a socially distanced visit with a gift, said: “Charlie is such an inspiration, we have been really moved by his story and everyone at Golding is incredibly proud of his fundraising. We have donated to Help for Heroes, but also wanted to give him a little something to enjoy with his family.
She continued: “Hopefully he can celebrate in style with them and some of our local residents very soon.”
You can watch Charlie’s song and make a donation here.
As a second world war veteran Charlie was keen to help former service men and women. He was called up at the age of 18 to Her Majesty’s Service and served as a driver and later as a dispatch rider in the 53rd Welsh Division and 52nd Lowland Division.
It was while he was stationed in Maidstone that he met his wife-to-be Madge and they married in 1943.