A LOLLIPOP man who has battled cancer is still helping children safely cross the road at the grand age of 88.

Wilf Freeman, who will celebrate his 88th birthday today (January 31), has been a lollipop man for 28 years in Castle Lane outside Bournemouth School for Girls.

In the past year he has battled cancer and had a leg injury after falling from a ladder but despite this and the pandemic, he has only taken three weeks off work.

He said: “I’ve had cancer in my head so I’ve got holes in my head, I fell off a ladder and hurt my leg but none of it stopped me.

“With the pandemic nobody was doing anything, so I’ve been recovering during that and my leg is okay, it’s not right but I can work quite okay no problem.”

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Wilf has lived in Bournemouth since 1988 and during his 28 years as a lollipop man, he has seen Castlepoint be rebuilt and get a lot busier.

The school recently replaced his traditional lollipop with a button to press.

He said: “The school has been very good in supporting me, as long as I can I’ll carry on doing this.

“It keeps you active rather than sitting at home and you can meet new people, everybody talks to you, there are no problems."

Alistair Brien, headteacher at Bournemouth School for Girls said: "Wilf is very much an honorary member of our school and we will be sending out our choir on Monday morning to sing Happy Birthday to him.

"He is a true stalwart, out in rain and shine, helping to keep our pupils safe. We wish him all the very best for a very happy day."

Councillor Mike Greene, portfolio holder for sustainability and transport, said: “Mr Freeman has been serving his community as a lollipop man for Bournemouth Borough Council (now BCP Council) for the past 28 years.

"He has dedicated his time to ensure school children and residents can cross Castle Lane West safely in all weather conditions over 12 months of the year.

"As all our school crossing patrol officers, Mr Freeman is a valued member of the road safety team and highly respected by residents and schools, we wish him a very happy 88th birthday."