South Shields Sanddancers Forum

Big Hec from Whiteleas what a character went to nearly everybodys house did a lot of walking for charity? made sh*tloads of money

There are mixed opinions on Big Hec.
First of all he wasn't that big height wise. Might have been six foot but certainly not a giant. A lot of the money collected in buckets was diverted into his own pockets although he did collect a lot for charity. He would never entertain collecting with sealed collection tins.

He did less walking when he was told to register with the charities commission he was tall when you were only 5ft blank

i remember him going about the bars down town.
the bloke made a fair few quid for charity over the years.
regardless of what he may or may not have done,the fella
was a character who desreves a huge pat on the back for his fund raising efforts imo =D> =D> =D> =D>

He always had that unmistakeable way of walking, lurching from side to side, big strides.
I know he died at a young age, but what actually finished him off ?

He used to cause a bit of bother in the Duster on occasion.
He was very unpredictable, and would almost demand you put money in his bucket.
Can't say as I'll miss him as much as I'd miss other characters like Terry or old dodger Wilson.

Big Hec = Brian Dowson, His mother was only little, He used ta go shopping for my mother, my mother was disabled and he offered to do a walk to send her to Lourdes, i can still hear my mothers reply now, "Lourdes My Arse" she never did have much time for all that kind of stuff, but everyone is right ,i think he did a bit for charity and a bit for himself and most people gave money knowing this anyways, i think he spent most of it on Cow Pies (Desparate Dan)

I remember "Big Hec" as a child i was brought up in whiteleas my mam and dad still live there.

"Big Hec" was always kind as i remember, so what if he kept a little for himself, as has already been said people knew this anyway and were still happy to give.

Now Terry awwww lovely Terry, he has a catch phrase but i can't remember what it is ?

Terrys catch phrase - ee nar the game !

cheers.

gag.

Ah that's it hehe i remember now, thanks gag x

No comment.

bic heck was a year above me in school, i remember watching the TV years ago and he was on the local news, he was at hintons in shields trying to beat the world pie eating record, so the camera started to roll and they brought out a tray of pies, he statrted to eat one but said it was too hot, so they waited a bit and started to roll the cameras again, this time he eats a few pies but gives in and blames it on having a big tea before he came out, he then turned around to the cameras and started to sing some elvis tracks, he he pure class

After the publicity of his charity walks, big Hec , ran a raffle in the Red Duster, which didn't go down well with the winner. I can recall Joe Vaughan , winning and when asked for his prize , Big Hec took off his checked jacket an said that was it. Joe, being a slim build short man was no amused!,

big hecks boots cost a lot of money size 16 or 18 not sure it was a long time ago he would where a pair out in about three weeks and at around £150 to £200 ago the social wouldn`t pay

Delilahcat wrote:
A lot of the money collected in buckets was diverted into his own pockets although he did collect a lot for charity. He would never entertain collecting with sealed collection tins.

Big Hec.

Councillor ?

BIG HEC WASNT A THIEF
HE WAS ACCUSED NEVER PROVEN ALL BECAUSE HE WAS DOING SOMETHING DESCENT
YES HE CARRIED BUCKETS YES HE HAD GOLD BOOTS TO MAKE A STATEMENT WITH AND B4 U GET ON YR HIGH HORSES THEY WHERE PAINTED GOLD
AND HE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK

R.I.P BIG HEC
MAY YR LEGEND LIVE ON AND INSPIRE OTHERS

Well said portal1977.. =D>

jimmywizz wrote:bic heck was a year above me in school, i remember watching the TV years ago and he was on the local news, he was at hintons in shields trying to beat the world pie eating record, so the camera started to roll and they brought out a tray of pies, he statrted to eat one but said it was too hot, so they waited a bit and started to roll the cameras again, this time he eats a few pies but gives in and blames it on having a big tea before he came out, he then turned around to the cameras and started to sing some elvis tracks, he he pure class

I was in same year as him, Do you remmebr the day a couple of yobs came up to the school armed with knives and he grabbed them both by the scruff of the neck lifted them off the ground and then walloped them together? =D> Looking back I remember the accusations levelled at him, in my opinion if he took some cash for his boots (and maybe a pint as well) all well and good, he did a lot of good and many have done far worse.

RIP Big Hec.