91裸聊视频

Skip to content

B.C. veteran John Hillman dies at 105, leaves huge charity footprint

The 105-year-old hit headlines for his philanthropic ways, raising funds for Save the Children by walking laps of his Oak Bay courtyard

A man who walked laps of his Oak Bay courtyard to raise funds for global charity Save the Children leaves behind a near half-million-dollar legacy 91裸聊视频 so far.

John Hillman, 105, died peacefully early Monday (July 8).

Inspired by the late Capt. Tom Moore in England who did 100 laps of his garden and raised nearly $150,000 for charity, Hillman started fundraising for Save the Children in 2020 at the age of 101. That year he walked 101 laps 91裸聊视频 over 10 consecutive days 91裸聊视频 of the courtyard at his Carlton House of Oak Bay home.

For four consecutive years, the centenarian spent a few days in the spotlight taking his walker outdoors and doing laps to fanfare to raise funds. Hillman would amiably amble the first lap or two with a politician, police officer or other dignitary at his side, then take off at a more brisk pace (for someone in their 100s).

He'd raise a glass at the end, and toast his fans, before heading inside for rest.

Though he had moved to Veterans Memorial Lodge in Saanich, this March to celebrate his 105th birthday, Hillman finished one last lap at Carlton House 91裸聊视频 a ceremonial end of an era.

"We are all so grateful to have known John, and to have called him our friend. He had an incredible life, in service of others, and being able to help him with that was truly the honour of a lifetime," said Jacqueline Prewett on behalf of Carlton House. "He will be missed by so many people, but we know that his legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the positive change he brought into the world." 

Hillman left the online donation platform open at  and as of July 9 it sat at nearly $469,000.

A British veteran of the Second World War, Hillman became a Canadian citizen with an online ceremony in 2022.

Hillman joined the Royal Air Force in 1937 at the age of 17.

91裸聊视频淚 joined the air force because there were no jobs for youngsters coming out of school in 1937,91裸聊视频 he told the Oak Bay News in 2022.

After failing to fulfill pilot requirements, they put him in the tail, and Hillman became a wireless operator.

He recalls being posted to France in August 1939.

91裸聊视频淲e lost half the squadron when the Germans broke through,91裸聊视频 he said. With their aircraft rendered unusable, he and 60 others were left to make their way back to England as best they could.

Awarded four Second World War medals, Hillman served in the RAF until 1949 and saw action in France, Britain, Africa and Italy. He served in Burma from 1944 until Japan officially surrendered the next year.

91裸聊视频淚 had an angel on each shoulder looking after me,91裸聊视频 Hillman said. 91裸聊视频淚 was shot at and bombed for the whole of my service and I never got a scratch.91裸聊视频

John and Irene Hillman were . Irene died in 2021 at the age of 100.

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more



(or

91裸聊视频

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }