This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-46553021
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Luton Airport worker, 77, will 'carry on until he dies' | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A 77-year-old man who came out of retirement to take a job at airport security says he will carry on working for as long as he can. | |
Graham Smith, from Dunstable, decided to retire at 65 after being made redundant from the printing trade. | Graham Smith, from Dunstable, decided to retire at 65 after being made redundant from the printing trade. |
He said he could not "handle" being at home as there was "nothing to get up for", and applied to work at Luton Airport after a year. | He said he could not "handle" being at home as there was "nothing to get up for", and applied to work at Luton Airport after a year. |
Mr Smith, who started in 2008, is now the airport's oldest employee. | Mr Smith, who started in 2008, is now the airport's oldest employee. |
"I will carry on until I can't do the job properly, but I don't think that will be anytime soon," he said. | "I will carry on until I can't do the job properly, but I don't think that will be anytime soon," he said. |
"I told one of my managers, I will probably die here. | "I told one of my managers, I will probably die here. |
"A lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm happy to do it for as long as I can." | "A lot of people think I'm crazy for doing this, but I'm happy to do it for as long as I can." |
Mr Smith said the job had been a lifeline after Maria, his wife of 35 years, died in December last year. | |
Chris Jones, head of security at the airport, said: "Graham is popular, an asset and a true gent. | Chris Jones, head of security at the airport, said: "Graham is popular, an asset and a true gent. |
"He has a fantastic work ethic and is always reliable, setting an example for others to follow." | "He has a fantastic work ethic and is always reliable, setting an example for others to follow." |