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January 2022 Written by the community for the community

Where people tell their stories No. 77 www.ilkestonlife.com 50p where sold
Cheering our readers in Ilkeston and surrounding districts
Out of Africa

Heroes of the past year: Tracy Cunningham and Evie Hartley have been recognised by
Lynn hopes to elfless Tracy Cunningham was the She says it was difficult to gain their trust at
BBC Radio Derby.
first because they have a tendency to back
bring Bubacca Sdriving force behind the opening of off from any health matters, choosing not to
Ilkeston’s winter shelter for the home-
attend hospital or GP appointments or engage
less in 2018.
and Ebrima And for the past two and a half years she with other workers.
But a breakthrough came when she helped
has been the rough sleeper paramedic for
one of them who had overdosed.
homeless people in Derby.
to Ilkeston Tracy’s incredible work has earned her a “Since I brought that person back round,
everything changed,” said Tracy. “I’m kind
2021 BBC Radio Derby ‘Make a Differ-
of in with the gang now, sort of, I’m a bit like
ence’ award.
A video showing her at work on the streets their mother to be honest!”
roud Lynn Pestell saved two boys of Derby city centre has been featured on She has 200 patients on her books and rarely
has a day off. Her charges think the world
Pfrom poverty and travelled 3,800 TV. of her. When Radio Derby made the video,
miles to see one of them star in a TV Each day she goes out looking for any new homeless people queued up to praise her with
rough sleepers and checking on the regu-
show. lars she knows, making sure they are all comments like “She’s something left in my
Now he is hoping to bring the pair to Il- right and following up on their health and world when I have nothing, she’s my star”
keston from their home in the West African medication.
state of Gambia. Continued over the page
The former bus conductor’s rescue mission
began when he was on holiday with his wife
Avril 14 years ago.
They met brothers Bubacca and Ebrima who
came to a tourist hotel.
Since then, he has spent £4,000 on their ed-
ucation with Ebrima becoming a computer
expert and Bubacca a skilled carpenter.
Ebrima, 23, is a famous face in Gambia be- Brothers Bubacca (left) and Ebrim with
cause of his Youtube exploits as a character ‘Dad’ Lynn Pestell
known as “Lil Chaser.” tell, who has a VIP seat at the premiere of
That has led to him taking the lead role in a the series made for Gambian TV. The first
TV series called “Second Chance,” telling two 30-minute episodes will be shown in a
of a “bad boy turned good.” cinema.
And yet it all started with a chance meeting Speaking from Gambia, Ebrima said: “My
when their mother was selling fruit and nuts dad has really helped us.
as she eked out a living as a single mum in a “I wish I could get a proper job so I could
squalid village. help my dad as well. He is my dad and has
Mr Pestell, 80, recalls the moment as he sat really helped me and my little brother.
in a bar with his wife, who died four years “I went to college for a good three years
ago. and thought I would have a good job but I
“We said we would look after them and didn’t.”
brought them pop to drink. We always went His brother Bubacca, 20, will be in the
there for four weeks and as the boys got audience to see the first viewing of Second
older, it became the norm. Chance.
“Education is cheap there and £4,000 goes a Ebrima added: “I am so excited. I want to
long way. see what I have done.”
“The boys call me dad and I am proud of The boys never knew their natural father
them. They could have a good life here and hope to get permission to settle in
because there is little work over there. Ilkeston with Mr Pestell.
“I don’t agree with boat people. I don’t His only child Andrea died of cystic fibrosis
want them to take that route. I want to bring 30 years ago aged 25. Her parents cam-
them over here and have all the papers to paigned to raise awareness of the disease.
show my support of them,” said Mr Pes-

Community theatre

idea for Ilkeston - P6