Tributes paid to ‘selfless’ Croydon refugee worker whose ‘fun was helping other people’

Tributes have been paid to a selfless charity worker who could say “hello” in more than 40 languages and would collect donations for refugees on his days off.

Peter Hall was a well-known figure in Croydon and spent many years working with the homeless and refugees in South London.

He was born in Thornton Heath, one of nine children, and lived in South Norwood for the past 35 years.

He passed away aged 66 at Croydon University Hospital on January 24 where he had been battling coronavirus for three weeks. Peter was diagnosed with lung cancer about six months ago and was undergoing treatment at the Royal Marsden in Sutton.

He leaves behind four children, four grandchildren, his wife Jackie.

The couple met while working as nurses at Warlingham Park Hospital and would have celebrated their 40th anniversary this year, just two weeks after Peter’s death.

Peter lived in South Norwood and was a huge Crystal Palace fan

In 2013 he became the co-ordinator at the Croydon Refugee Day Centre, which operates a weekly drop-in centre at West Croydon Baptist Church providing hot meals, clothing parcels and English lessons to those who need it.

Peter was the charity’s sole employee and led a team of volunteers, including supporters from the nearby Amadiyyah Croydon Mosque and Iranian Church. He retired formally in May last year.

Son Matt says that on his days off, Peter could be found sourcing buggies, children’s toys and books online to pass on to families who arrived in Croydon empty-handed.

He said: “He was a selfless person, his fun was helping other people.

“I think his big family led him to having a big heart, he was always very community focussed.”

Peter’s life-long commitment to charity work began as a teenager helping to run soup kitchens for London’s homeless and volunteering with the elderly.

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Following a trip to India to help with a food poverty project in the 80s, he trained as a psychiatric nurse, then a general nurse.

And in the 90s he volunteered to renovate an orphanage in post-communist Romania, driving from Croydon with a truckful of donated building supplies, medicine and toys following an appeal backed by the Croydon Advertiser.

Matt added: “My Dad could say ‘hello’ in more than 40 languages, but more than that, he also knew how to ask ‘how are you?’, as that was the type of man he was.

“Our Dad found his satisfaction by seeking out people most in need and offering them compassion and practical help.”

Peter was a popular member of West Croydon Baptist Church and a Crystal Palace FC season ticket holder.

Rory MacLeod, chair of trustees at the Croydon Refugee Day Centre, said the services offered and numbers of people helped were greatly expanded during Peter’s time at the charity.

He added: “His kindness to individuals helped to create a happy and safe place for people in need to meet.”

While Mansoora Ilyas of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association described him as “gentle and full of life”, adding that his welcoming smile will be missed by all.

Prior to his work with refugees in Croydon, Peter worked for 18 years at Thames Reach homeless shelter in Vauxhall, Lambeth, which provided accommodation for more than 100 clients.

Peter with his wife Jackie and friends Ammar and Perouz from the Iranian Church

Peter with his wife Jackie and friends Ammar and Perouz from the Iranian Church

Colleague Tony Walters paid tribute: “During our time working together, Peter’s support for the most challenging rough sleepers in Lambeth was invaluable. Peter was held in high esteem by both the staff and the clients. He was a good man who did an excellent job.”

Croydon councillor Humayun Kabir became friends with Peter after choosing the refugee centre as one of his charities when he was mayor in 2019-2020.

He said: “Peter was a gentleman with lot to offer to vulnerable community. I was so impressed by his commitments to the centre, I agreed to choose them to be one of my five chosen charities.”

Matt and his siblings were able to say goodbye to their dad in hospital before he died.

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His funeral will be held on February 24 and limited to 30 mourners due to coronavirus restrictions.

“A lot of people will miss our dad. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and husband and an example of a selfless life lived,” added Matt.

“I know he would like to thank the NHS staff for their superb care.”

In memory of Peter, his family are asking for donations to th Croydon Refugee Centre, which can be made here: www.justgiving.com/croydonrefugeecentre.

If you have been affected by coronavirus in Croydon and would like to share your story, please email tara.o’[email protected].

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