OLD school pals who reunited after more than 50 years apart are appealing for help to get their friend out and about again after he suffered a stroke.

Tom Weston, a former St Benedict’s Catholic College pupil, was able to reconnect with 13 of his former friends thanks to the power of social media.

But it was a chance meeting with former school pal and football teammate Bernie Hadlow, which rekindled their friendship.

Mr Weston, 68, was visiting his mother at Loganberry Lodge care home in Colchester when he spotted his old chum’s name on a door.

“I thought it can’t be him, he’s a relatively young guy,” he said.

“I knocked on his door and was invited in for a chat.

“I found out he had a stroke in 2016 and was paralysed.”

Former nurse Mr Weston, who works part time as an adviser for Vivid Community Care, realised his friend’s mobility is limited with his current wheelchair.

He has set about trying to stump up the £4,000 necessary to purchase a new electric wheelchair, which will enable the group to take Bernie out for a coffee.

“He was like the school’s mischievous sportsman, he loves reminiscing about the old days,” he said.

“He even remembers specific football matches we played.

“He talks about when I put the ball over to him and he hit it on the volley.

“This is nearly 60 years ago but I don’t think he’ll ever forget hitting that volley.”

Amongst the group are former school friends who travel from as far as field as Canada and Italy for the reunions.

The group keep in touch via WhatsApp and regularly exchange emails.

“We were in the same class right through St Thomas More’s and St Benedict’s for 12 years,” said Mr Weston.

“We will still just have arguments about football and relationships.

“No-one is afraid to rip into each other, whether or not you’re now a managing director of a company or not - it holds no water.

“I will say ‘I can remember you when your arse was hanging out your trousers and your nose was running.’”

While several of the group now regularly visit Bernie at Chilton Croft Nursing Home in Sudbury, they hope to take him out for a coffee or to the pub.

“We want to get him a wheelchair to enhance his quality of life,” said Mr Weston.

“He has to have a specific taxi pick him up which isn’t always available in Sudbury.

“We will normally get him a Costa at Tollgate. it came into my head that he so misses not being able to walk into Costa so it would be wonderful to get him there.

“I have made an application to Colchester Catalyst charity for help.

“He knows my background, if I have a project I like to get my teeth into it.”

Mr Weston added: “When we hug and say goodbye, he looks me in the eye and shakes my hand and says if it was you sitting in this wheelchair I want you to know I would be doing the same.

“That’s what is really emotional for me.

“That bond we had at school is still there.

“We are all blokes in our late 60s, but I was so touched everyone wanted to make the reunion happen.

“One of the guys is a TV cameraman who has been hanging out of helicopters and all sorts.

“But that connection we had at school and playing in the football team all those years is still very special.”

To donate to the cause, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/newwheelchairforbernie.