THE daughter of an Urmston pensioner who wasn’t found for four days after passing away would like to impress the importance of ‘looking out for your neighbours’.


Donald Jackson who was 84 and lived on The Avenue, Flixton, was active for his age and still drove and cooked for himself.
 

His two daughters live abroad, but called him regularly on set days each week and he had tea with his granddaughter once a week, however, around a fortnight ago he died and was not found until around four days later.


Donald’s daughter, Carole, said she would ring him every Friday and but decided to call him on the Wednesday, November 27, as it had recently been the anniversary of her mum’s death.


She said when he initially did not answer she did not worry, thinking he was out shopping, but became increasingly anxious.
 

Then after trying numerous times the following Friday, November 29, she became very distressed and contacted his neighbours, who then found her dad.
 

“He must have just fallen asleep in his chair and nobody thought to knock on his door,” said Carole.
 

“He wasn’t ill – it was very sudden and we’re still reeling from the shock.”
 

Carole said from piecing things together with his neighbours she thinks her father must have died sometime on the Tuesday, November 26, as he never closed his curtains that evening.
 

“In the four days inbetween we must have lost him.”
 

Carole and her family now want to encourage a sense of community in order to ensure this does not happen to another family.
 

“I just think a really serious message needs to be passed on that people need to look out for their neighbours even if they are accused of being nosey, because ultimately it could save a life, added Carole.
 

The charity Cyril Flint Volunteers, which was set up after a Trafford man spent Christmas alone for 20 years after his wife died, is backing Carole’s message.


Kate Brown, charity co-ordinator at the charity, said: “I would firstly like to express my deepest sympathy to Donald’s family.


“As a charity we are being made aware of more and more older people living in the area with very little social contact.


“It is very important that people, wherever possible, try to keep an eye out for their elderly neighbours.
 

“Especially in the run up to Christmas, traditionally a happy, family orientated time, these isolated people, with often just the TV for company, are crying out for someone to talk to, a friendly face.”
 

Carole added: “Looking out for elderly people at Christmas is important but these people are here all year round, some of these people are war heroes and land girls and they’re being left on their own.”
 

• If you would like to become a Cyril Flint volunteer, call 0161 942 9465.