Derek Vernon with Janice
A SHORT film about the life of former Warrington boxer and marathon runner Derek Vernon will feature at Liverpool Film Festival this Friday.
“Magnificently Ordinary” by multi-talented Writer Director Producer and Editor Mark Wright, is a documentary about the now aspiring actor, who tells his “amazing story” in his own words.
Derek, whose local claim to fame includes winning the Warrington half marathon in 1988, later lost his wife, his home and children but bounced back finding new love and happiness and working caring for disabled children.
In the film Derek describes the worst period in his life from 1996-1999 when he discovered his wife was having an affair.
“I lost everything, the house, my car and my children. My wages were all going on CSA payments and I was literally pennyless.”
But Derek bounced back after taking on two full time jobs working eighty hours a week.
“I was grafting for my two lads and promised them I would get my own house where they could stay.”
Derek has not looked back and now owns three properties, has a new lady in his life, Janice McDonnell, who “means the world to me” and a job he dearly loves helping care for disabled children.
During the film those who know Derek describe him as a “genuine, loyal and selfless person,” and a “respectable hard working individual.”
Derek’s life story will be screened this Friday (Dec 18) at the Liverpool international Film Festival .
1 Comment
Well done Derek – one of Warrington’s finest