STAFF and volunteers from a Prestwich care home have said a fond "farewell" to a long-serving board member.

Herzl Hamburger has been volunteering at Heathlands Village Care Home for 40 years and announced that he would be stepping down at the annual meeting of The Fed on November 18.

Son of former councillor and Mayor of Salford, Sir Sidney Hamburger, Herzl was presented with a plaque honouring his service to the Fed.

The award on behalf of the board was made by its longest-serving member, Leslie Kaye.

Mr Kaye told the annual meeting: "Herzl's contribution to Heathlands Village, and latterly The Fed is incalculable.

"His strength of character, high moral compass, and compassionate nature, allied to his leadership and organisational skills, all added to a great sense of vision, have been an outstanding asset to this organisation for the past 40 years."

Just as Sir Sydney, in his capacity as president, had overseen the original 1970’s construction of Heathlands Village and the closing down of the Old Home and its satellite premises on Leicester Road, his son's appointment to same office in 1993 led him to supervise the construction of Eventhall House, easing the massive demand for more residential and nursing accommodation and a waiting list of 90 people.

Mr Kaye added: "Herzl, your involvement with this organisation has been an important factor in its development into the present first-class facility which we now enjoy, and which provides a wide spectrum of care for the entire community."

Herzl described how the greatest influence on his life was being a member, for many years, of the welfare committee, gaining an understanding of the problems of running a home and of old age.

"It was, in my opinion, a fantastic classroom for introduction to older people," he said.

Herzl also spoke of the great pleasure of "working with wonderful sincere people" from whom he had learnt so much.

He acknowledged the support and advice of his wife Rosemary, a former welfare committee chairman and long-standing volunteer.

"It was and it still is a fantastic organisation, but now is the time as they say 'to pass on the baton' to let others with new visions, different ideas, skill sets and capabilities play their role in this wonderful organisation,” added Herzl.