Britain’s hardest worker was today revealed as 21-year-old David Day – who has a staggering 11 JOBS.
Dedicated David Barely has time to watch TV as he juggles five paid jobs with six voluntary roles – clocking up an exhausting 50 HOURS a week.
His salaried roles vary from being a lunchtime attendant at a local junior school to working as a shop assistant at his local Primark.
He is also a steward at his beloved Notts County football club on match days and works at a before and after school club as well as volunteering at his local community centre.
Despite working up to 40 hours a week in his paid jobs, David splits his spare time between six other voluntary roles.
He also coaches badminton and football teams as well as volunteering for St John Ambulance and helps out at a number of local youth groups.
Remarkably, David lives in Carlton in the Gedling borough of Nottingham – where 7.5 per cent of 18-24 year olds claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
David’s first job was when he was aged just 10 when he volunteered to take the collection plate round the congregation at his local church.
His first paid job, when he was 12, was a paper round which earned him £30 a week.
Yesterday (Weds), David – who earns just #500-a-month from his paid jobs – said he would rather be doing something useful than sitting in front of the TV.
He said: “There’s a perception that young people won’t do anything for nothing, but there are people my age out there who want to help others.
“It’s nice to have money, but I don’t care about it. To help people and do something I enjoy means much more.
“I often lose count of how many hours I do. For me just having something to get up for, be it voluntary or paid, is enough for me.
“I love having so many jobs – it’s not about the money for me because I actually don’t earn that much but it gives me real satisfaction.
“Once you get past 25 hours, you just don’t bother counting anymore.
“I’m just moving from one job to the next, but I’m used to the way I organise my time. I would much rather be doing something useful than sitting in front of the TV.
“It’s just nice to help people out. I would like to see more volunteers and show people how to get involved and how good it feels to help people and see how they react.”
David, who has been volunteering since he was a 10-year-old, believes more people his age should do volunteer work.
And his thoughts were echoed by Dave Thomas, volunteer co-ordinator at Gedling Community and Voluntary Services, who calls David an ‘amazing role model’.
He said: “David is an amazing role model for volunteers and young people out there.
“Young people have always wanted to change the world, and now they seem to be realising that they can make a difference through volunteering.”
George Cowcher, chief executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “David’s dedication and commitment to work shows that if you apply the right amount of passion, drive, initiative and entrepreneurial flair to whatever you want to do, you can achieve great things.
“Young people often get a bad press and there are stereotypes out there that are unhelpful and can put them at a disadvantage in the eyes of potential employers.
“But David just goes to show that there are some talented, driven and creative young people out there who would be an asset to any business.”
Leslie Rhodes, from Gedling Play Forum where David volunteers, said: “David puts himself out for anyone. He works as much as he can for us, but we understand his other commitments.
“I remember when a trip for disabled kids were short of a first-aider, and without any notice David jumped on the bus.”
And Graham Atkin, president of Mapperley Park Badminton Club, who coaches the junior sessions with David, added: “He’s a great role model for our young players.
“I’ve seen people his age volunteer, but never to the extent that David does.”
David, who lives with his parents Geoff, 54, an electrician, and mum Susan, 52, a family resource worker, was acknowledged for his work last year when he received the Pam Clipsham Award for Young Volunteer of the Year from the Gedling Community & Voluntary Services.
He said: “It was lovely to receive the award.
“It’s not about me, but the community, but it’s nice to know people appreciate what you do.”
DAVID’S WORKING WEEK
PAID JOBS
1.Lunchtime attendant at Westdale Junior School
2.Steward at Notts County football club
3.Before and after-school club Roosters
4.Redhill Community Centre
5.Primark in Nottingham city centre
VOLUNTEER WORK:
6.St Jude’s Youth Group
7.St John Ambulance
8.Coaching badminton at Mapperley Sports Village
9.Coaching football at Mapperley Sports Village
10.Carlton Life Saving
11.Gedling Play Forum
* DAVID’S WORKING WEEK
Monday:
7.30am – 9am (1.5 hours): Roosters Before and After School Club
11:30am – 1pm (1.5 hours): Westdale Juniors
6pm – 7pm (1 hour): Football coaching at Mapperley Sports Village
7pm – 10pm (3 hours): Badminton coaching at Mapperley Sports Village
TOTAL HOURS: 7
Tuesday:
7.30am – 9am (1.5 hours): Roosters Before and After School Club
11:30am – 1pm (1.5 hours): Westdale Juniors
1pm – 5pm (4 hours): Gedling Play Forum
7.30pm – 9pm (1.5 hours): St John’s Ambulance
TOTAL HOURS: 8.5
Wednesday:
7.30am – 9am (1.5 hours): Roosters Before and After School Club
11:30am – 1pm (1.5 hours): Westdale Juniors
5.30pm – 8pm (2.5 hours): St Jude’s
TOTAL HOURS: 5.5
Thursday:
7.30am – 9am (1.5 hours): Roosters Before and After School Club
9am – 11.30am (1.5 hours): Gedling Play Forum
11:30am – 1pm (1.5 hours): Westdale Juniors
1pm – 5pm (4 hours): Gedling Play Forum
6.30pm – 9pm (2.5 hours): Redhill Community Centre
TOTAL HOURS: 11
Friday:
7.30am – 9am (1.5 hours): Roosters Before and After School Club
11:30am – 1pm (1.5 hours): Westdale Juniors
6pm – 9pm (3 hours): Redhill Community Centre
TOTAL HOURS: 6
Saturday:
9am – 11am (2 hours): Badminton Coaching at Mapperley Sports Village
During the football season, David works as a steward at Meadow Lane when Notts County play at home. (4.5 hours)
4.30pm – 6.30pm (1.5 hours): Carlton Life Savers
TOTAL HOURS: 7.5
Sunday:
8am – midday (4 hours): Primark
TOTAL HOURS: 4
TOTAL HOURS WORKED EVERY WEEK: 50