Peter Preston was always something of a hero as editor of my beloved Guardian. Thus I was very pleased to meet him for the first time in 2002, when he joined the advisory board of the Journalist Network, an organisation launched by Community Service Volunteers (CSV, now Volunteering Matters).
The JN was a voluntary body linking retired journalists and broadcasters with charities, especially small and underfunded ones, to provide media advice and practical help. Peter wrote an excellent piece about the fledgling organisation in the Guardian, which prompted numerous media veterans to offer their services, and generally enhanced the status of the network.
Despite all his years at the top, in board meetings he never threw his weight around, remaining unfailingly quiet-spoken and courteous. His words always carried tremendous weight, not just because of his experience but because of his palpable decency and generosity of spirit. We could all see that he could be a pretty tough character when required, but he struck me as at heart a kind man.
