82-years-old Alan Wrigley creates a storm on social media

Alan Wrigley

Alan Wrigley, a B&Q Rochdale staff member, is currently creating a storm on social media after a picture of him taken by a customer received over 40,000 likes, nearly 6,000 shares and over 1,500 comments.

The picture, which was taken by shopper Danny George on Sunday (6 September), was posted to the B&Q Facebook page accompanied by a caption which reads: “This is Alan. He is 82-years-old and works in your Rochdale, Sandbrook Park branch. Every time we visit this branch he always greets us with a smile, always asks where we are going and has a tub of sweets to offer to our three-year-old.

“We got talking to Alan and he told us that he buys the sweets he offers to children and adults out of his own wages every week. He also told us about his fundraising and the causes close to his heart. We have to say we were astounded and in awe to learn he has completed parachute jumps, bungee jumps and many more activities to raise funds for truly noble, local causes. For this I just had to shake his hand and we wanted to let you know that you have a brilliant and inspiring man on your staff.

“His next hope is to carry out a sponsored wing walk and we feel he is a true inspiration and a true gentleman. We would implore you to recognise this man as he truly does what he does for the love of it and to make a difference.”

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Danny said: “Every time we go into B&Q my daughter is always looking for Alan because he has the sweets and when we went in, I just made the comment to him that she is always looking for him. We then got chatting and he told us about all of this incredible stuff that he has done.”

Danny wanted to share the picture with B&Q to show them that they have a much loved member of staff within their team.

He added: “I didn’t expect it to get the reaction that it has done and to see people sharing their views and experiences with Alan just validates the point that he is a much loved member of the store. My wife went in this morning (Wednesday 9 September) to give him some sweets for his bucket and he said that him and his son are keeping an eye on the post and watching it grow.

“I think more than anything, he wants it to raise awareness of the charities that he has raised money for, which shows what a selfless man he really is.”

Alan is regularly raising money for Springhill Hospice, Francis House, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary and a local girl called Amelia who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis.

B&Q Rochdale, line manager, Steve Torson said: “Alan is Alan, he’s a regular guy who doesn’t ask much of anyone. He loves his job, and more often than not comes in to work a few hours early because he likes being here and enjoys spending his time talking to customers in store.

“He is extremely supportive of local charities and spends a lot of his time getting myself and the staff involved in community initiatives. He’s a great guy, a cherished member of staff and loved by the whole community.”