FERRY CHRISTMAS

'Ernest Bailey's story shows how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference'

- By PAUL MCAULEY ECHO Reporter

From left, Simon Payne, Mathilda Naulleau and Sue Lea

THE kindness of a former Mersey Ferries boss is being remembered in a special exhibition after a treasure trove of letters was discovered.

Daughter Sue Lea said her family were delighted to see Ernest Bailey’s charity work brought back to light this Christmas.

Ernest was a senior manager at Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive - now Merseytravel - and every year, organised a Christmas outing on the Mersey Ferry for disadvantaged children, often those in care.

Ernest hosted the festive parties in the 1970s and 80s for youngsters across Liverpool, and gave out presents.

He died in July of this year, and when children Sue, David and stepson Simon Payne, were organising Ernest's possessions, they uncovered an archive illustrating a lost episode of Liverpudlian philanthropy.