Keith DelroySTEPHENSSunrise 27th March 1949 - Sunset 5th March 2022 Keith Delroy Stephens came to England as a 16-year-old in 1965 from Jamaica. He attended St Margaret's Secondary School in Whalley Range. He loved reading, maths and sciences. He achieved his GCSE's and excelled in sports. He loved to box and represented Lancashire where he won numerous boxing trophies and sports awards. He also became county champion in Long Jump and was a promising runner. When he left school he worked in the electrical field, unexpectedly he contracted meningitis which left him critically ill, he also suffered a stroke during this period, which left him paralysed. He spent many months in hospital and with constant encouragement and support from his late mother Gwendolyn Campbell, Dr Bodey and his wife Carolyn Bodey he was able to be discharged home. He went through months of rehabilitation and was able to learn to walk again using crutches. After overcoming these issues, he wanted to further his academic education, he attended Manchester Polytechnic and completed his A-Levels, a BA in Youth and Community and a Diploma in Social Sciences. Along with his studies Keith had a passion in community work. Working with the black community in Moss Side Area. He helped establish the Hideaway Youth Club which is now Manchester's oldest youth club in existence. Not only did he work teenagers he took part in many community courses in both statutory and voluntary sector as was his eagerness to do his best for the community. He took interest in Education, Health, Probation, Disability, Equality and Diversity Issues. Although his interest was quite broad, he got involved he worked with numerous community groups. Taking up roles ranging from Chairperson, board member and treasurer. Some of the groups he represented: British Council of organisation of disabled people, Manchester Action Health Care, Family Advice Resource Centre, 8411, Law Centres, Black Disabled people groups, Hulme Health Initiative, Afro-Caribbean Mental Health Project, Manchester Disability Forum, Social Services, Hulme Community Arts Group, Asian Support Group, Coalition of Disabled people, Manchester Sickle Cell Centre, Moss Side IT Group, Carnival group. Amani Youth Centre, Job Link, Nia Centre, Unison trade union, Labour and Louise Da-Cocodia Educational Trust. As Keith was registered disabled, he championed disability rights, he saw that the disabled community were excluded from participating fully in society. He represented local disability groups to ensure their voices were heard and represented. Most notably he worked as a disability officer for Manchester City Council (MCC), retiring as a Human Resource Officer. Keith not only took on disability issues in the community within the MCC umbrella but also nationally taking up a role as a Shop Steward for Unison. He later became a chair for the union attending multiple annual unison conference across the UK. Keiths interests were very varied he loved reading, photography and writing poetry with many of poems and being published. He loved watching all sports especially boxing and athletics. Meeting his idol, Mohammed Ali. Keith attended Trinity Community Baptist/URC where he not only contributed in the services but also served on their committee. Due to Keiths devotion to work in the community was awarded many awards. He received Manchester City Council Corporate Services Healthy Manchester Award 2006 and the Manchester BME Network Hidden Gem Award for services to the BME community and his work in the field of equality and diversity. Keith had tirelessly strived to fight racism, discrimination and prejudice in the workforce and the wider community. He lived in Crumpsall with his wife Pat (nee Berkley), son Cesaire, daughter-in-law Maja and stepson Marvyn. He was blessed to have the opportunity to play with his 2-year-old granddaughter Ramiyah and witness his two grandsons Akeem and Kashif mature. He touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.
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