Bradley says it can't be repeated often enough

Cochrane senior citizen Stu Bradley has received many recognitions over the years for his contributions to our community and region.

Most recently, he was named a Stampede Life Member for his many years of service to the world's greatest outdoors show on earth.

This award is the highest honour awarded by the Stampede for volunteer service.

Bradley is a second-generation Stampede volunteer, following in the footsteps of his father Hank by joining the Downtown Square Dance Committee way back in1983

He intends to continue to volunteer and wears the pin proudly on his lapel.

"That was very special," says Bradley. "Two thousand-five people belong to the organization and there are just a chosen few who get the volunteer award."

"It was interesting to find out that the Calgary Stampede volunteer organization is considered to be the best of its kind in the world. That's pretty high honours."

Bradley is proud to share news of this award and the other accolades he has received over the years, including Cochrane's Senior Citizen of the Year Award in 2016. Nor does he back down from speaking out about the not-so-pleasant moments.

Bradley was stung for $9,000 in September 2022 by fraudsters who nailed him with what is referred to by the RCMP as the "emergency-grandparent scams"

"People are embarrassed. They want to hide and back up and are ashamed that they got caught. That's not the answer. That only helps the criminals. Let other people know so they don't get into the same position." 

• Stu Bradley was scammed out of $9,000 and speaking out to help others

Bradley was contacted the day after he went public on being scammed by a Calgary man who narrowly missed being nailed.

He says many others have given him accolades for speaking out, but he knows many more aren't aware. or it's no longer front of mind.

"The more we talk about it, the more people become aware," says Bradley. "If it happens to you, don't hide it. That doesn't help the next victim."

Fortunately, he did get about a third of his money back.

"I was so thankful that my young grandson started a GoFundMe account on my behalf and I was able to recover $3,000 from the $9,000 I lost. Thanks to family and many others, some of the hurt was recovered."

The RCMP estimated that only five to 10 per cent of victims report scams and fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or law enforcement. In 2022, law enforcement authorities received reports of $1.1 million lost by Albertans to the scam and over $9.2 million nationwide.