Ex-firefigher and friend of Jimmy Savile on the sex abuse allegations
SEX abuse allegations emerging against Jimmy Savile have shattered a paralysed firefighter, who drew strength from him in his hour of need.
George Ridgeon did not see the alleged dark side of Jimmy Savile, remembering him only as a multi-million pound fundraiser and TV personality.
Savile became a friend to George, from Churchdown, before he died last year.
But recent revelations mean police are investigating allegations Savile sexually assaulted children and adults at care homes, hospitals and on BBC premises.
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"It's like the dream's been shattered," said George, who was introduced to Princess Diana by Savile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1981.
"He saved my life and did so much good for people, raised so much money for good causes, and now this.
"It's very upsetting. They are very serious allegations and it's a shock to me."
George snapped up Savile's sofa at auction during the summer, as well as memorabilia including Savile's running vest, London marathon medals and a suit he wore when they met Princess Diana.
George, who was paralysed during a failed rescue in London Road, Gloucester, when he was a firefighter, planned to sell off many of the items and donate the profits to a spinal injury unit.
"I don't know what to do with it all now," he said. "Some of it reminds me of good times.
"I would like to sell some of it if it will help other people."
George met Savile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after sustaining injuries in the failed fire rescue.
"I was in hospital with a broken back and he walked in and effectively helped save my life."
He understands the serious nature of the allegations, more of which have emerged over the past two weeks, but wishes the former Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It presenter was still alive to answer the accusations.
He died on October 29 last year, aged 84.
"It is just terrible news, but he's not around to defend himself," said George.
"Going on what I have seen, he was not like that at all – there were a lot of people who did not do anything about it."
Scotland Yard is pursuing 340 lines of inquiry in the Savile abuse case and so far 12 allegations of sexual offences have been officially recorded but this number is increasing, police said.
Comments
by photogirl
Monday, October 15 2012, 11:04PM
“While like many I have been astounded by the reports in the press recently, as has already been said Savile is not here to defend himself and I am somewhat surprised that none of this blew up before his death, given the apparent extent of the allegations. I would also say that at this stage allegations are all the authorities have - yet the man appears to have been condemned without fair hearing - if it were possible to give a dead man a hearing. As has also been said, he did a huge amount to support charity and it has not yet been proved that this was a contrived cover for his alleged perversions either. No investigation has yet been concluded, so no solid conclusions can be drawn. Too many people ready to hang someone who is unable to speak in his own defence.”
by spindles12
Monday, October 15 2012, 9:18PM
“Here's an idea on what you can do with the sofa etc. It's coming up to the 5th of November. Find a big bonfire and stick it on the top with the guy dressed in his clothes. You could even charge people to stoke the fire!”
by IsitJimKerr
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:31PM
“George, you just have to take him as he was to you.
However, please don't take the view that some of his friends have, in that just because he raised £millions, he MUST have been a good person.
Very often, as is here, it was a cover.
I doubt he was that clever to say 'I know, I'll start raising lots of money for injured people, then I can s**g under aged girls in the back of my car. I suspect it 'evolved' very quickly over a matter of months.
He realised what he could get away with, and it grew and grew.
I have heard ex-friends on the radio defend him, jeeeeeez, they sound so naïve.
So don't do the same.”
by ladygray
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:33AM
“George Ridgeon says 'going on what I have seen he was not like that at all - there were a lot of people who did not do anything about it',about what Mr Ridgeon?”
by MistyBuff
Monday, October 15 2012, 8:20AM
“Totally agree Missy. As the story builds, and it does get worse if that's possible... Keys to vulnerable young psychiatric inpatients bedrooms, keys to the MORGUE! It's unreal how many people turned a blind eye. His fundraising seemed to make him untouchable. Money talks, or more appropriately, money makes people in power keep schtum.
If you're seriously considering selling these goods Mr. Ridgeon, I'd suggest a museum for the grotesque and macabre, Littledean Jail for example.”
by MissyMadDog
Monday, October 15 2012, 7:42AM
“I doubt Jimmy Savile memorabilia will raise much money now. There's only one person to blame for this and that's Savile himself, but it beggars belief that some people in the BBC, the hospitals and certain police forces chose to ignore allegations when raised by some of the victims years ago. What a manipulative, controlling and evil man Savile was.”