TRIBUTES have been pouring in to the Crabbs Cross home of Redditch Lion Mike Andrews who passed away recently, aged 70.
Mike was a past president of the local Lions group, and for some 30 years a key driving force and organiser behind its fund-raising – all for local good causes.
He spent his working life as a civil servant, first in what is now the Department for Work and Pensions then for 16 years, with the Office for National Statistics.
As with the Lions, professionally Mike always went the extra mile, said his wife Carole, the current president of Redditch Lions.
“He wasn’t someone who just turned up for work but always went above and beyond,” she said.
Such was his dedication that on January 5 this year he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal by King Charles III.
“Because Mike was ill at the time I think they expedited things for him,” said Carole.
“It came with a letter saying the King so regretted being unable to present the medal in person.
“It is such an honour and the medal will there at Mike’s funeral.”
Mike Andrews was born in Bournville and remained proud of his Birmingham roots. He met Carole 36 years ago – she had two daughters and he had two sons from previous marriages – and they hit it off immediately.
“We would go everywhere together – apart from golf – they said he’d swear at golf, and it was always the ball’s fault,” said Carole.
The couple became involved with Redditch Lions 31 years ago.
Lions International is an organisation founded in Chicago in 1917 by Melvin Jones to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities – and that’s exactly what Redditch Lions have been doing.
With Mike’s input to events like their annual Children in Need drive, Green Fair and Lions Fun Day, and Fun-Run-Stroll – as well as putting together his own annual quiz night – Redditch Lions have been able to make a major contribution to the wellbeing of the town.
Indeed, so great was Mike’s impact that he was presented with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honour in Lions International.
Five years ago Mike was diagnosed with a pulmonary fibrosis, a disease which progressively stiffens the air sacs in the lungs, affecting breathing.
Despite this he and Carole continued leading active lives, however in November 2022 his condition suddenly deteriorated and despite hospital and nursing home care he died on March 26.
Mike Andrews is survived by Carole, their four children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
His funeral is at Redditch Crematorium at 11am on Monday, April 17.
