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AN EX-MINER who raised money for the last 30 years to help support miners sacked during the epic 1984-5 strike against pit closures was honoured at Saturday’s Durham Miners’ Gala.
Rick Sumner founded the Justice for Mineworkers campaign in 1985 when at least 900 miners remained unemployed and blacklisted. Today less than 20 remain.
And every year Mr Sumner and wife Christine sent the workers cash raised through selling mining memorabilia at conferences across Britain.
This year, at 82, Rick announced he is standing down.
On Saturday he was invited on to the platform at Durham to receive a painting depicting life in the area’s mining communities.
Durham Miners Association secretary David Hopper said Rick’s work had made a difference to the lives of hundreds of sacked miners.
“We owe Rick a debt of gratitude,” he said.
