Who was Lee Anderson? (Lee Lee)
Lee Anderson (02.02.1971 - 26.06.2016) was fondly known as "Lee Lee" (especially by his sisters Joanne and Kelly) and "Peggy" to his nearest and dearest. The Anderson Award is named in honour of his legacy, and in recognition of the outstanding charitable work youth work and support he gave to children and their families across SW London. The Anderson Award reflects equality among children irrespective of their ethnicity, sex/gender, neurodiversity, or socio-economic status. This page features personal stories about Lee Anderson from his closest friends and family. It will tell the stories of who Lee was. The first contribution is by one of his closet friends Jonathan. More stories will follow.
Lee Anderson - My Peggy
I eagerly embraced the opportunity to write about someone who profoundly changed my life, though it took me over a week to find the right words. It has been no easy task.
Lee, whom I and my friends affectionately called Peggy, became a central figure in my life from the moment I first saw him behind the bar at the Red Lion. I’d known him in the 90s when he worked at the infamous Trade nightclub, and often spoke if we saw each other out, though strangely we didn’t become the friends we were until many years on.
Sometimes, the most solid friendships take time to develop, and the years Peggy and I spent as best friends were among the most treasured of my life. We became inseparable, speaking daily whether it was messaging, FaceTime or calling each other for years, even more so after I moved to New York. Peggy often visited, and we travelled across America in a Mustang, an adventure he absolutely loved so much! We were known as The Peggy and Joan Roadshow.
Peggy was fiercely caring, loving, and loyal. The void he left when he suddenly passed away is deeply felt and will never be filled. He had an incredible ability to manage his large circle of friends with remarkable precision, keeping many at arms length, it was quite the accomplishment, but always applying appropriate time to everyone. I have never found another friend like Lee, and I doubt I ever will. He was my soulmate, a best friend in the truest sense, one of those rare friends who come into your life and leave an indelible mark.
This Anderson Award is a fitting tribute to the remarkable person he was. It is an honour to share this small account of who Lee Anderson was to me.
Lee Anderson (02.02.1971 - 26.06.2016) was fondly known as "Lee Lee" (especially by his sisters Joanne and Kelly) and "Peggy" to his nearest and dearest. The Anderson Award is named in honour of his legacy, and in recognition of the outstanding charitable work youth work and support he gave to children and their families across SW London. The Anderson Award reflects equality among children irrespective of their ethnicity, sex/gender, neurodiversity, or socio-economic status. This page features personal stories about Lee Anderson from his closest friends and family. It will tell the stories of who Lee was. The first contribution is by one of his closet friends Jonathan. More stories will follow.
Lee Anderson - My Peggy
I eagerly embraced the opportunity to write about someone who profoundly changed my life, though it took me over a week to find the right words. It has been no easy task.
Lee, whom I and my friends affectionately called Peggy, became a central figure in my life from the moment I first saw him behind the bar at the Red Lion. I’d known him in the 90s when he worked at the infamous Trade nightclub, and often spoke if we saw each other out, though strangely we didn’t become the friends we were until many years on.
Sometimes, the most solid friendships take time to develop, and the years Peggy and I spent as best friends were among the most treasured of my life. We became inseparable, speaking daily whether it was messaging, FaceTime or calling each other for years, even more so after I moved to New York. Peggy often visited, and we travelled across America in a Mustang, an adventure he absolutely loved so much! We were known as The Peggy and Joan Roadshow.
Peggy was fiercely caring, loving, and loyal. The void he left when he suddenly passed away is deeply felt and will never be filled. He had an incredible ability to manage his large circle of friends with remarkable precision, keeping many at arms length, it was quite the accomplishment, but always applying appropriate time to everyone. I have never found another friend like Lee, and I doubt I ever will. He was my soulmate, a best friend in the truest sense, one of those rare friends who come into your life and leave an indelible mark.
This Anderson Award is a fitting tribute to the remarkable person he was. It is an honour to share this small account of who Lee Anderson was to me.
How I met Lee by Dr. Rachel Gow
It was 2010 and I was about to start a new job, a part-time role as an assistant psychologist working at Kids company, a London-based charity founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh. The centre was on Kenbury Road, off Coldharbour Lane, Brixton and only a short-walk from King's College London where I was studying at the time for a PhD. I was to be working alongside a Clinical Psychologist, Ana Cubillio and together we would be prescreening children for ADHD and other learning and behavioural differences, writing reports, applying for statutory assessments of their needs, making referrals to Educational Psychologists and Child and Adolescent Psychologists. Ultimately, we became the voice for many of these families who had been let down and marginalised time and time again by the system. These children were being excluded from school, educationally failed and/or placed in pupil referral units which often became breeding grounds for criminality, violent behaviour and drug addiction. We almost immediately recognised a playground to youth-offending pipeline in the Borough of Lambeth and beyond, starting with children as young as 6 and 7 years of age, and, critically, that more often than not, had undiagnosed ADHD, Autism and some other type of learning and behaviour difference.
On my very first day, I remember walking out into the courtyard area alone and sitting on one of the brightly painted red benches to eat my lunch. I looked up and there was Lee, smiling at me. He was curious, and immediately wanted to know all about me. I felt instantly at ease in his company because he was incredibly friendly, authentic and chatty and within a short space of time, he had shared with me some of the most personal aspects of his life's journey thus far. Needless to say we became firm friends. I think sometimes in life, you are lucky enough to meet special people like Lee, perhaps you gravitate towards each other for reasons unknown but there was definitely that magnetic pull. Lee was loud, even brash at times, he spoke his mind (and truth) without fear. He had an almost innate sense of justice, of right and wrong which was most fitting when supporting some of the most troubled (and challenging) children in London. Lee was hysterically funny, he was a born entertainer, he enjoyed making us laugh. He was caring, he was loyal, he fought for you, he had your back. Lee also loved art, I think he had an eye for it. He was an incredibly creative individual, I would even go as far to say he was a rare breed, a gentle soul, but equally a fun-loving daredevil. He brought spontaneity, laughter, warmth and fun into the lives of all who were lucky enough to have met him, and I am honoured that included me.
It was 2010 and I was about to start a new job, a part-time role as an assistant psychologist working at Kids company, a London-based charity founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh. The centre was on Kenbury Road, off Coldharbour Lane, Brixton and only a short-walk from King's College London where I was studying at the time for a PhD. I was to be working alongside a Clinical Psychologist, Ana Cubillio and together we would be prescreening children for ADHD and other learning and behavioural differences, writing reports, applying for statutory assessments of their needs, making referrals to Educational Psychologists and Child and Adolescent Psychologists. Ultimately, we became the voice for many of these families who had been let down and marginalised time and time again by the system. These children were being excluded from school, educationally failed and/or placed in pupil referral units which often became breeding grounds for criminality, violent behaviour and drug addiction. We almost immediately recognised a playground to youth-offending pipeline in the Borough of Lambeth and beyond, starting with children as young as 6 and 7 years of age, and, critically, that more often than not, had undiagnosed ADHD, Autism and some other type of learning and behaviour difference.
On my very first day, I remember walking out into the courtyard area alone and sitting on one of the brightly painted red benches to eat my lunch. I looked up and there was Lee, smiling at me. He was curious, and immediately wanted to know all about me. I felt instantly at ease in his company because he was incredibly friendly, authentic and chatty and within a short space of time, he had shared with me some of the most personal aspects of his life's journey thus far. Needless to say we became firm friends. I think sometimes in life, you are lucky enough to meet special people like Lee, perhaps you gravitate towards each other for reasons unknown but there was definitely that magnetic pull. Lee was loud, even brash at times, he spoke his mind (and truth) without fear. He had an almost innate sense of justice, of right and wrong which was most fitting when supporting some of the most troubled (and challenging) children in London. Lee was hysterically funny, he was a born entertainer, he enjoyed making us laugh. He was caring, he was loyal, he fought for you, he had your back. Lee also loved art, I think he had an eye for it. He was an incredibly creative individual, I would even go as far to say he was a rare breed, a gentle soul, but equally a fun-loving daredevil. He brought spontaneity, laughter, warmth and fun into the lives of all who were lucky enough to have met him, and I am honoured that included me.
Who was my friend Lee? by Jonathan Harvey
I first met Lee in the 90s when he worked on the door at Trade. If you’d told me then that years later I’d be writing and reading the eulogy at his funeral I wouldn’t have believed you, because he was such a force of nature. A world without our LeeLee? Impossible.
But here we are. And I miss him every day. I miss his common sense no nonsense attitude that would tell me to get a grip. And I miss the kindnesses he showed the world on a daily basis.
When we met again years later I was working in telly and Lee was at Kids Company. He always had a project on the go as a sideline.. collecting dolls for kids who didn’t have toys to play with, collecting coats to give to people in winter. He was always thinking of others. And when I took him to showbiz parties he loved demanding those dollies and coats off the celebs! Lee was my plus one for many years and couldn’t hide his disgust when I finally got myself a boyfriend and didn’t take him to the parties as much! And gosh he could make me laugh. The turn of phrase. The bitchy retort. The daring twinkle in the eye. I’ll never forget we’d been away for the weekend and as we said our goodbyes at Euston he went all butch and serious. Then swept up his shoulder bag and did this big comedy mince out of the station, really drawing attention to himself. It was the funniest thing.
But mostly it was his kindness. And that’s what I miss the most.
But here we are. And I miss him every day. I miss his common sense no nonsense attitude that would tell me to get a grip. And I miss the kindnesses he showed the world on a daily basis.
When we met again years later I was working in telly and Lee was at Kids Company. He always had a project on the go as a sideline.. collecting dolls for kids who didn’t have toys to play with, collecting coats to give to people in winter. He was always thinking of others. And when I took him to showbiz parties he loved demanding those dollies and coats off the celebs! Lee was my plus one for many years and couldn’t hide his disgust when I finally got myself a boyfriend and didn’t take him to the parties as much! And gosh he could make me laugh. The turn of phrase. The bitchy retort. The daring twinkle in the eye. I’ll never forget we’d been away for the weekend and as we said our goodbyes at Euston he went all butch and serious. Then swept up his shoulder bag and did this big comedy mince out of the station, really drawing attention to himself. It was the funniest thing.
But mostly it was his kindness. And that’s what I miss the most.
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