Tribute paid to Rotherham Families First trustee, Billy Smith
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our trustees and friends, Billy Smith.
Rotherham Families First would not be where it is today without the generosity of this kind man.
Billy, who was operations manager at Parkgate Shopping for over 30 years, played a pivotal role in the charity’s earliest days, working with our founder Ann to turn an ambitious idea into a functioning, community-focused organisation.
Ann and Billy first met 15 years ago when Parkgate Shopping became one of three main factors of the Rotherham Christmas Toy Appeal along with Rother FM. As operations manager and head of security, Billy allowed for the Giving Trees to be put around the shopping centre.
This helped build up what has become a much-loved and needed annual appeal of which countless children across Rotherham have experienced joy and support during the festive season.
Then, when Ann was given two weeks to move out of a unit in the town centre, Billy offered her part of the Parkgate’s cleaning team’s unit for free. He helped with the move and made sure the volunteers had what they needed to house the resources side. And then left them alone to get on with it. Laughing when they pinched another few inches of space – or it could have been feet!
This has become a vital base from which we’ve grown and supported so many local families, and last year we were kindly given a long-term lease by Parkgate’s new management team.
When Ann came out of the umbrella of VAR in 2019, Billy kindly offered to be part of the committee and we set up as Families First. When we became an official charity two years later, he became a trustee and was treasurer for a while.
Billy retired from Parkgate Shopping in March 2025 but continued his support of Rotherham Families First while dealing with health issues. Sadly, he died in March 2026 aged 72.
On Billy’s passing, Ann says: “I can only thank Billy for trusting in me. I certainly couldn’t have done what I have without people like him around me.
“Even though he stepped back over the last year, you could still feel his presence especially when we got the whole unit and didn’t have to pinch another bit! I’m honoured to say I knew him as a colleague and friend, and he will be truly missed by all of us.”
The thoughts of everyone at Rotherham Families First are with Billy’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.
