IF someone needs help, John McKay is there for them.

From bored youngsters in the holidays, to people in their fifties who have lost their confidence, John has helped them all.

John, 66, oversees a dozen weekly clubs and groups in the Lee Chapel North Community Hall, in Ballards Walk, Basildon, and believes the resurgence of the centre has helped boost community spirit.

He said: “Everyone told me they thought it was good to see the place open again because lots of people thought the centre was just the back door to the church and nothing more.”

John helps run the Lee North Holiday Club, allowing youngsters to take part in activities during the school holidays, while the Diamond Club, for over fifties, was set up three years ago by his wife Pam, to support people who have lost confidence and are afraid of going out alone.

The pair also run the Helping Hands community group for jobseekers, which also provides a food bank service.

John, who has lived in Basildon for the past 20 years, said: “I love getting involved.

“Kids come who don’t interact with other kids, but within days they are joining in with everyone and telling their mum to go home. It is great to see things like that happening.

“With the over fifties club, people come in first thing in the morning, hours before it officially starts, because they want to help setting up.

“It’s their club, not ours. I’ve always said that.”

The over fifties club has also branched out to other social events, including regular lunches, and plans are in place for a community day at the hall.

John said: “When we first started the kids club, there was nothing else and all the other clubs in the area were shutting.

My grandkids had nothing to do, so we started the club with just family and friends.

“But it has been like putting Miracle Grow on the garden, and now we have 1,400 children on our books.

“Some of the kids who came as teenagers, will ask us for job references, which we are happy to give because they are great kids.”

John insists he still enjoys working at the community centre, although he admits it can be tiring. He said: “It’s really good fun, but I’ll be worn out by the end. I feel like I’m 21 when I’m jumping around with the kids, but then I feel about 70 by the time it gets to the end of the day!”

John, Pam and their daughter Gemma, were presented with the Essex Police Cup at the High Sheriff’s Awards last month in recognition of their service to the community.

John said: “It was a bit unexpected. It was only when we saw our names on a screen that we realised, which was a shock. But we can’t do it alone, it’s not a three-person job. It’s all about the community being behind us.

“One captain can sail a ship, but it’s all about the crew behind him.”