The longest serving altar boy is Thomas Sunderland (UK, b 23 March 1913) who began serving at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, UK at the age of six in 1919 and continues to do so in 2005, a total of 86 years.

Mr Sutherland has been awarded medals, including the Pope’s Medal for service to St Thomas’.

Mr Sutherland died on the 15 January 2007.