A YOUNG people’s champion and award-winning community hero is retiring after more than half-a-century of service.

Eddie Benson, who was awarded an MBE for services to the community, has retired as a trustee of Haxby and Wigginton Youth and Community Association, after stepping down as chairman last year.

Eddie, 76, has worked with young people in the area for 57 years and his long-standing commitment to community work saw him claim the title of Person Of The Year at The Press’s inaugural York Community Pride Awards in 2004.

He was Haxby Youth Club leader for 36 years, and chaired the Haxby and Wigginton Youth Activity Trust and the Youth Support Committee.

In 1998, following a rise in antisocial behaviour, Eddie formed the Haxby and Wigginton Youth & Community Association, based at Oaken Grove community centre.

The association was originally established to support the thousands of youngsters in the area but later expanded to offer services to older residents too.

Eddie later established a community office in Haxby Memorial Hall for older people to meet each other, have a meal and play games every Tuesday.

The office also offers a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, a cyber café, a counselling help line and a weekly meeting place for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Wine Tasting Group.

In November 2005, Eddie received the MBE for services to young people in North Yorkshire.

Paul Lawrence, centre manager of Oaken Grove community centre, in Haxby, said the dedicated work Eddie had contributed to Haxby and the city of York has been tremendous and “second-to-none”.

He said: “Eddie formed the association in 1998 and since that time his dedication to the communities of Haxby and Wigginton, and in particular to local youth work, has remained undiminished.

“Eddie has a lot of good ideas and his commitment to the community has been very valuable, as has been his expertise which has been called upon many times.

“I think it has been time for him to move on, but he will be sorely missed.”