Stan Blacklock is one of those rare people who doesn't ask what others can do for him but what he can do for others. He's made mistakes and experienced tragedy but his optimism and determination, his faith and his gift for friendship, have helped him get the best out of life, even in the darkest times.

Growing up as a farmer's son in the Caldbeck fells, Stan always knew he was somehow different from other boys. As he grew older, he kept his feelings secret - until he was 'outed' in his early twenties, in a shocking and traumatic way.

He recovered and got on with his life, working hard in his menswear shop, until he met and fell in love with Fred. They had fourteen wonderful years together but then Fred was diagnosed with AIDS.

At that time, there was little understanding of the condition and no effective medical treatment. Stan nursed him at home till the very end - and somehow had to come to terms with losing the love of his life.

Amidst his grief, he realised that he needed something positive to come out of this tragedy - and he set up the Cumbria Support Group for HIV and AIDS. He also started volunteering at Mildmay Hospital in London, one of the first hospitals to treat people with AIDS.

Thus began a lifetime of volunteering for numerous charities, including working as a mentor in prisons, where he has helped many lost, disaffected young men turn their lives around and become happy, fulfilled members of society. Today, in his eighties, Stan is still volunteering.

Despite his ongoing health problems and limited mobility, he regularly travels down to London by train to support patients at Mildmay Hospital. It's surely not an overstatement to say that his life demonstrates the true meaning of loving-kindness.

And wherever he goes, Stan makes new friends, because kindness begets kindness. Read his touching memoir - and find out how a farmer's son from Caldbeck learned about life, accepted himself as a gay man, followed his Christian faith, and made the world a better place.

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