Park bench for Barry Sullivan, the people’s hero - St Martin's Gardens site for tribute - Sat 15th May at 2pm
Published: 13 May 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY
AN unsung hero who entered Camden Town folklore for giving up his time to help the elderly and disadvantaged will be remembered on Saturday with the unveiling of a park bench in his name,.
People’s champion Barry Sullivan, who ran the Camden Town Neighbourhood Advice Centre, was loved by the thousands of people he helped from an office in Greenland Road. His unconventional style made him unpopular with decision-makers at the Town Hall, but Mr Sullivan often proved effective in helping people cut through the bureaucratic jargon of council regulations that his clients often could not understand. He made sure they got the benefits they were entitled to. Nobody was turned away from his door, even on Christmas day or in the middle of the night.
When the council withdrew its support and evicted the advice centre, pensioners barricaded themselves inside to foil the bailiffs in 2004. Mr Sullivan protested on the roof with the centre’s mascot, a giant red heart. The building is now a base for community support police officers.
Hundreds turned up for his funeral after he lost his battle with cancer two years ago.
The bench will be unveiled at 2pm in St Martin’s Gardens, the park in Camden Town where Mr Sullivan was often seen walking his dogs.