Hi my name is Neale, I am a retired civil servant. I’m married with three children and four grandchildren. One of my grandchildren has autism which has taught me so much regarding how to respond, relate and adapt to young children with additional needs.

My interests are motorbikes, I have two. I also enjoy remote control cars and reading autobiographical books.

I joined Lads Need Dads in 2021 when I responded to an advert looking for male volunteers to read with boys with absent fathers. My own father died when I was just out of my teens, so the opportunity to support young boys in this way, really resonated with me.

So far I have thoroughly enjoyed the role and seeing how volunteering just two hours a week can make a positive difference, so much so, I have signed up again this year!