Tina Turner sang, “We don’t need another hero” but I’m not sure I agree with her. I sat down with the intention of identifying my heroes but quickly realised that it wasn’t actually heroes that have shaped my life but inspiring people. I wondered how many to list, so I allowed myself 15 minutes and came up with 20 names. Of those inspiring people, nine were Americans, four Welsh, four English with one Canadian, one Dutch and one South African. Despite the fact that some might expect it, Jesus doesn’t appear in the list. I took the view that would just be too obvious and trite.
Reviewing the list, I realised there were a few common themes, some of which overlapped: the USA Civil Rights movement, social justice, Wales, people who had influenced my Christian faith and people who had personally interacted with me.
Of course, Martin Luther King has to be in the Civil Rights movement category. His leadership changed the lives of millions and generations continue to be inspired by his speeches. I am also comforted by the fact that he was deeply flawed in some aspects of his life – just like all of us. I salute Rosa Parks, the black woman who refused to obey a bus driver’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. She has been described by the US Congress as “the mother of the freedom movement”. Her courage sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott which led to a United States Supreme Court decision that declared the Alabama and Montgomery laws requiring segregated buses to be unconstitutional.
The next four names probably won’t be familiar to you: Addie Mae Collins Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Denise McNair were four little girls murdered by racists in a bomb blast in a Birmingham, Alabama church in 1963. I was profoundly affected by the incident and resolved I’d devote my life to justice, a path I’m proud to say I still follow.
Two 60’s folk singers continue to inspire me. Pete Seeger has always embraced justice and his commitment to socialism and to civil rights has given us some of the finest songs of the 20th century. Joan Baez‘s songs inspire and touch raw emotion in me with their profound depths.
Nelson Mandela‘s name will be no surprise to you in my Social Justice category and his work well chronicled. My greatest admiration of Mandela is focused on his “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” which prevented a blood-bath and ensured a smooth transition to black majority rule. 
Changing continents again, in my view the greatest Welshman was Aneurin Bevan, a lifelong champion of social justice and the rights of working people. Nye Bevan was the architect of the National Health Service which made free health care available to everyone. He makes me proud to be Welsh.
The next three inspirational people could be in the previous category or listed as influential Christians. Two hundred years ago William Wilberforce led the movement to abolish the slave trade in Britain securing the Slave Trade Act in 1807 and hearing three days before his death in 1833 that the final abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire was secured. He fought tirelessly against his peers and the rich and influential people of his time.
Henri Nouwen and Jean Vanier were, coincidentally, both Catholic priests who dedicated their lives to caring for adults with learning disabilities. Both recognised the intrinsic value of every human being and have written some superb books that have shaped me considerably.
John Newton was an amazing man. Slave-trader turned preacher, he not only wrote the words of the world’s most popular hymn, “Amazing Grace” but, even better, “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds”, my favourite hymn. Then, my favourite Christian author, Brennan Manning, changed my life completely with his simple but deeply profound message. Read , “Abba’s Child” and be blown away.
Two further inspiring Welshmen on my list: Owain Glyndŵr, last native-born Prince of Wales. who led an uprising against Edward I, 600 years ago and Simon Weston, a former soldier who suffered horrendous burns during the Falklands War and whose recovery and subsequent charity work is remarkable.
The final names are three exceptional people who have influenced me, inspired me and encouraged me. Fiona Castle supported me when I established Through the Roof, a disability charity and is an author and charity worker. I have learned so much from her gentleness and humility.
Another Welshman, Lyndon Bowring worked with me in connection with Through the Roof and his insights and direction have been of inestimable value. Finally, David Barney, a school friend for 50 years, always was and still is, there for me.
Lyndon Bowring
Our lives are shaped by so many things and so many people. I would do many things differently, given an opportunity, but I’m grateful for those 20 people, some from deep in history, others contemporary and only three of whom I know personally. It has been a very rewarding process to do this task – why don’t you have a go and list your inspirational people in the comments section.
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