Last Friday I had one of those calls everyone dreads.

It was terrible news - a friend of mine, John Richards, had suddenly died.

John will have been known to many readers of the Dudley News for the great contribution he made to the area.

He had recently retired as a lecturer at Dudley College where he had helped countless students fulfil their potential and get the skills and qualifications they needed to get on in life. Before that he'd helped thousands more through his work for the health service.

He served his community as a school governor and he was the driving force behind the Gornal Windmill Trust which is safeguarding one of the area's most important buildings.

He was one of the volunteers who give their time and energy to sustain all the political parties at the grassroots.

Without people like John, local parties could not function. It's no exaggeration to say that a proper democracy depends on volunteers like him.

Many people will lead better, more fulfilled lives as a result of his lifetime's work.

And he did all that because he believed in it. Not because he wanted any personal reward or personal recognition - but because he thought it was right.

He'll be missed by all who knew him, but by none so much as his wife Mavis and his family. I hope it is of some comfort for them to know how much he was respected and admired.