Palace of Westminster Official Presentation Guide

9th July 2015 The following organisations are proud supporters of the British Citizen Awards:

With thanks also to: Foreword from Sarah, The Duchess of York

The pace with which would have otherwise gone we live our lives today relatively unnoticed. often precludes us from appreciating the small Please join me in honouring kindnesses and gratitude that these great British Citizens enrich our lives. and take this opportunity to listen to those around you The greatest kindness you so that they too may receive can afford someone is to this great honour. listen and it is with great pleasure that I have found the British Citizen Awards. This organisation listens to the citizens of this great country and not only hears the stories but rewards Sarah, Duchess of York monumental efforts that British Citizen Awards Patron

3 Hosts

Kay Alexander, MBE Presenter in 2003 which marked 30 years in the business. Kay Alexander MBE is a former BBC news presenter, Our Hosts where she reported for nearly 40 years. She was a feature reporter for the programme, The Baroness Wilcox as well as presenting the Baroness Wilcox was Breakfast and Lunchtime news, Parliamentary Under Secretary and is very proud to have been for Business, Innovation and a face of news. Skills from May 2010 until Kay has been awarded a MBE September 2012. She is a for services to broadcasting Conservative member of the and charity in 2013, as well House of Lords. as an Honorary Doctorate from University, The Lord Dholakia recognising services to The Rt Hon. the Lord Dholakia broadcasting in the Midlands OBE DL is a Liberal Democrat and nationally. Kay won the Life peer sitting in the House of Royal Television Society Award Lords since 24 October 1997.

4 Welcome from Dame Mary Perkins

tirelessly making a positive the scenes, impacted on the impact in their community lives of those around them and without thinking of themselves. deserve public recognition. That recognition is the “people’s Those who have been nominated Honours” under the banner of have come from all over the UK The British Citizen Awards, who and all are truly ‘unsung heroes’. will bestow a medal and the Many have quietly helped in right to use the letters BCA. areas where they themselves have benefited from in the past. I thank you for making our World more human with your acts of The independent assessment goodness. panel were moved to read about so many individuals doing great Welcome to the British Citizen things to make our communities Awards special. I thank them for their integrity in keeping to the eight Dame Mary Perkins The title is so very apt as it worthy individual categories. British Citizen Awards Patron recognises those who work All the nominations have, behind Co-Founder Specsavers

5 Supporters

We are extremely grateful to the following people for Capt. Tristan Loraine, BCAi - Director, Fact Not Fiction their support, belief and above all their commitment Films to our vision. They collectively have contributed to the Shane Board, BCAv - Founder, Pop 4 Diabetes development of The British Citizen Awards so that it may serve as an inspiration for others to emulate the deeds of Endorsers those being honoured. Thank you all. Dame Linda Dobbs - Former QC and High Court judge Roger Black, MBE - 1996 Olympic 400m Silver Medalist Patrons Sarah, The Duchess of York Charlie Brooks - EastEnders actress and former winner of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here Dame Mary Perkins - Co-Founder Specsavers The Lord Dholakia PC, OBE, DL - Deputy Leader, Liberal Hilary Devey CBE - Founder, Chief Executive and Democrats, House of Lords Chairman of The Pall-Ex Group Angus Munro - Founder of AM Casting and one of the top five casting directors in the world Ambassadors Lord Digby Jones - Former Director General, CBI Duncan Slater - former Sergeant and Afghan War Veteran Prof. Alan Barrell, DBA., FRSA - Entrepreneur in Brooke Kinsella, MBE - Actress and Founder of the Ben Residence Cambridge University Kinsella Trust James Roe, MBE - 2012 Paralympic Gold Medal winning Madi Sharma - Entrepreneur & Member of the EESC rower.

6 Foreword from Hilary Devey CBE

I am delighted to be supporting the individuals and stories the British Citizen Awards. showcased through these awards highlight the very best There are so many awards that we have to offer. ceremonies these days, but the British Citizen Awards really My sincere congratulations to stand out as being something everyone involved. special: elevating the stories of Brits who are making a real, and often overlooked, contribution to society. These individuals rarely get the credit that they deserve – and are too modest to seek recognition – and I am proud to play a part in celebrating them. Hilary Devey CBE There’s so much debate about British Citizen Awards Patron ‘Britishness’ and our national Founder, Chief Executive and virtues, and I like to think that Chairman of The Pall-Ex Group

7 KWONG NGAN, BCAc PATSY ELLIOTT, BCAv CHRISTOPHER COLLEDGE, Merseyside London BCAc Dorset With over 40 years of dedicated Patsy is just 16 years old and service to his community in the was bullied for seven years. Chris is totally immersed in North West, Kwong became In desperation she discovered the local community; an avid a member of the See Yep the young people’s charity, volunteer and campaigner on Association in 1978 - a voluntary Kidscape. This was life changing behalf of local residents. “To organisation bringing together for Patsy, as the charity instilled know he has made a difference the oldest Chinese community in in her the confidence to cope to the lives of others is reward Europe. ‘His Tai Chi School, being and move on in her life. ‘She enough”. On hearing the the first of its kind 32 years ago, has not let the bullies beat harrowing story of a woman’s has inspired many other schools’. her, and wants to show other body that lay undiscovered He transformed the Association’s children that they can beat for years due to having no building into a vibrant them too’. She felt so indebted remaining family, Chris formed community centre, providing to Kidscape that she has raised a Tea & Meet group for the a safe and warm environment £1,700, to ensure that it can elderly. If any member of the for the Chinese community continue to help other young group fails to attend, it triggers where the ‘elders’ can socialise people. She is a role model an unobtrusive enquiry from and pass on traditions to the against bullies and bullying and another member to ensure the next generation. He introduced her moving story now forms well-being of all individuals. women to the See Yep leading part of Kidscape’s Fundraising This means that no member of to a confident and empowered Pack. the group can suffer the same Ladies Group. tragic fate. Nominated by Nominated by Lynne Murphy Kathleen Mitchinson Nominated by Sue Dennett

8 BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR STUART RUSSELL, BCAa DAVID HARDY, BCAc JANE NEWTON, BCAc Fife Stoke-on-Trent Worcestershire

Stuart is a young man whose David volunteers on two local Recognising that many vulnerable vision is to change the way The community led groups within the people become embroiled in debt, Arts are viewed. He promotes NHS, the Patient Participation Jane mediates with the Courts to lesser known creativity from Group and the Locality Patient help relieve some of the pressure his local area where he has Congress. He actively supports of impending Court proceedings given a platform to 100’s of the many activities associated on lonely, isolated and disabled artists and creative people with healthcare throughout the community members. Jane is through his mission to year, championing the various a strong advocate of the ‘No challenge the norm. His aim causes the local practice adopts. Interest Loans Scheme’ and has is to make the Arts inclusive spent hours negotiating with the He is pivotal to the success of the rather than exclusive. ‘I think Department of Work & Pensions the Country needs young focus groups, organising events to repay debt through reduction heroes, people who think inviting influential groups to of benefits. ‘She is a motivated, differently and who use their participate. ‘David has brought valued and inspirational member experience to make our consistency and continuity to the of our community. She is non- Country a little bit brighter – group and has proved to be a real elitist, non-discriminatory and this is Stuart’. Stuart combines leader, motivator and innovator’. non-judgmental… and not afraid his love of radio, the Arts and David has suffered from ill to speak her mind’. Currently 50 writing to bring together new health since 2009 and has still individuals benefit from Jane’s audiences. continued volunteering to serve persistence in getting the NILS his community. Scheme recognised. Nominated by Lorraine McGrow Nominated by Julie Stokes Nominated by Gillian Hudson

BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR 9 HEATHER JONES BCAe DANIEL O’BRIEN, BCAc MAX LEVITAS, BCAc Bedfordshire Essex London

For nine years Heather has served Danny created Anti-Knife UK as Max has been, and still is a as the Professional Co-ordinator a not for profit organisation in stalwart of the Tower Hamlets for the Yarls Wood Befrienders 2008 to inform young people Community aged 100 years. - 35 volunteers who visit and of the dangers of carrying He has been committed to befriend detainees of the Yarls knives. He uses Facebook and supporting people with any Wood Immigration Removal Twitter to provide a ‘voice’ for social issues, irrespective of Centre. The centre houses asylum victims, and reports daily on race, gender or religion: people seekers awaiting removal to their knife crime throughout the UK in the community turn to him respective countries. “Without to emphasise the magnitude for advice and guidance. “Max personal vanity or a high profile, of the problem. “Danny goes is the Grandfather and Great- Heather has educated for many above and beyond the call Grandfather of the East End years the local population and of duty in his commitment”. community, bringing all cultures wider world about the way in He also posts memorials for and ethnicities together, which the Asylum system impinges those that request it, and was young and old”. Max moved to on the detainees”. Heather has pivotal in the ‘Thumbs Down to London’s East End in 1927, and amassed an immense amount of Knife Crime’ campaign which in1936 fought against fascism technical knowledge and expertise generated a widespread debate and racism, preventing the which she shares with colleagues about the subject and inspired fascists marching through the and by means of which detainees many to consider the impact Jewish Quarter. He has always lives are regularly saved by the they could have on standing been an activist for social justice removal of deadly circumstances. against knife crime. and is committed for life.

Nominated by Veta Hudson-Rae Nominated by Jill Saward Nominated by Gina Rowan

10 BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR GEORGE GERAGHTY, BCAc MARK TIPPING BCAc MARTIN WYATT, BCAa Dorset & NICOLA TIPPING BCAc Norfolk Lancashire George’s wife created ‘Pot Luck For the past 45 years Martin Lunches’ - a freshly cooked Each year the Tipping family has devoted his spare time to meal available to anyone in the illuminate their home with 30,000 developing the musical talents of community – but when she Christmas lights and invite the local people, encouraging their died after a long illness, George entire community to share the appreciation and understanding of vowed to continue, and has Switch On, raising funds for several classical music, and providing them done so for over 25 years. Pot local charities at the same time. with opportunities to perform in Luck Lunches creates a centre During the past 4 years they public. His inclusive attitude ‘nobody for contact and information have raised £35,000. “Mark and is ever excluded on the grounds of where friends meet and new Nicola are fantastic role models inexperience’, his liveliness and his friends are made. “Our village to their children and everyone in drive, his faith in the abilities of his is together because of people their community”. Local families choirs and orchestras continue to like George going over and can join in without cost as go from strength to strength under above”. George is always at donations are voluntary. The event his conductorship. The biggest the centre of the operation generates a sense of community impact Martin created was the and his sheer determination and encourages individuals to establishment of the St Gregory’s to keep the lunches going is participate in something really Arts Centre in 1986, in which he inspirational. He is now in community spirited. This is a telling personally invested, providing his 80’s and shows no sign of example of how one small family performance and exhibition space slowing down. through hard work and enthusiasm for local amateur musicians, singers can really unite a community. and actors. Nominated by Elizabeth Armour Nominated by Jaki Ryding Nominated by Frances Hardy

BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR 11 ELIZABETH PARKER, BCAo KENNETH GARDNER, BCAa JOYCE ROTHSCHILD, BCAv Devon Sussex

As a voluntary worker in Kenneth (Kinny) co- founded Joyce is a volunteer fundraiser Uganda, Elizabeth (Liz) met a Krazy Kat Theatre Company for Macmillan Cancer Support. young girl orphaned by HIV in 1982 in Scotland with his Diagnosed with aggressive breast Aids who was prostituting partner. They developed cancer aged 40, one year later herself in order to eat; it was their own unique visual and with two children under 10, Joyce to change her entire future. imaginative style of children’s committed to raising funds for Liz paid to house the girl and theatre which was able to be Macmillan to help fund equipment for her education so that she enjoyed by both deaf children which helps reduce patients’ could become self-sufficient. and their hearing friends. Today recovery time. Her novel approach “A small amount of money in Kinny takes his work to schools, to fundraising took the form of UK terms can transform lives”. including mainstream, deaf researching and writing an annual She later funded a song which and special educational needs. £2 quiz comprising 100 questions. topped the World Charts. “Kinny has been the driving “Dedication, perseverance The revenue generated was force of Krazy Kats for 33 years”. and attention to detail, hers invested in a chicken farm Children get the opportunity to is an extraordinary ongoing for further sustainability for see a piece of theatre, which is commitment”. Since launching the village. What started child-centred, made for them 18 years ago, it is now subscribed as support for a charity has and involving them, uniting to in various countries around snowballed with the setting deaf and hard of hearing the world and has so far raised in up the UK arm of the African children with their hearing excess of £100,000 for the charity. Charity (AFFCADUK). friends. Nominated by Nominated by Judith Bennett Nominated by Linda Andersson Rabbi Margaret Jacobi

12 BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR MARY RAE, BCAa BRIAN KAY, BCAv & PAT CAFFREY, BCAv Norfolk MARY KAY, BCAv Merseyside Greater Manchester 30 years ago Mary recognised Following the death of her that concert music was not Mary and Brian have been husband, Pat became aware easily accessible to all, so ever-present members of the that the Woodlands Hospice decided to create a low-cost Wythenshawe Hospital League had the aspiration to build an concert, where people of of Friends for the past 44 and 45 in-patient unit to complement limited means could access the years respectively. During these its day services. Pat vowed to arts. Instead of paying artists years they have contributed raise £10,000 by collecting in she offered them a platform enormously to the raising of over local pubs on match days. 11 to showcase their talents and £2 million. They regularly visit years on Pat has raised £157,000 perform to an audience. To patients in geriatric wards who and wanted to reach £160,000 date Mary has organised and would otherwise not have visitors before the season ended, when produced 290 such concerts in and each Christmas Day they she retired. “So many people the Octagon Chapel. She plans wrap presents and take them to have suggested Pat should all aspects of the concerts, the wards for the elderly. “They receive some official recognition and asks the artists which are shining examples of British for all her efforts, sheer hard charity should benefit from Citizens”. Even after four decades work and commitment”. At the proceeds. “Without Mary of volunteering both are still as Easter Pat buys and distributes there would be no Octagon energetic and enthusiastic as ever, Easter Eggs to all patients at the Concert Series”. She has raised constantly looking at innovative Hospice – many patients have in excess of £150,000 and ways to improve hospital stays remarked how she really lifts concerts are booked into 2016. and raise more funds. their spirits.

Nominated by Betty Rathbone Nominated by Sheila Manion Nominated by Carole Riley

BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR 13 NICOLA STEVENS, BCAo DAVID WESTLEY, BCAc BARBARA RUBY QUARTEY, BCAe Buckinghamshire Suffolk London

Nicola founded the animal The small village in Suffolk Barbara set up Insights Institution, welfare charity IAWPA in 2009, where David lives had its heart a school for children and young following a trip to Borneo ripped out when the local pub people with complex emotional where she was overwhelmed closed and fell into disrepair. disorders, which cares for 40 by the cruelty shown to stray David, who had no experience young people aged from 7 to 19. dogs. Her aim was to establish a of renovation or volunteering, The students come from troubled humane neutering programme. led the committee that backgrounds and often with After four painstaking years of purchased the pub, organised exceptional social behavioural fighting bureaucracy and red working parties to renovate it challenges. The school nurtures tape in Borneo, the charity and created a volunteer rota them to learn social skills has now gained the licence to to clean and serve in it. The enabling them to fit positively control the local dog pound pub reopened in April 2014. back into society. Barbara set having a positive effect on “David was the helmsman up the school in 2002 using the the wellbeing of hundreds of who made it happen and now mantra ‘Make the school fit the dogs. “Through her tenacious the pub is thriving and the child, not the child fit the school’. approach Nicky is presenting centre of village life”. David Many students leave the school the UK in a positive light to the took three months unpaid with social and educational skills government and to the local leave to ensure that the that help them manage their inhabitants’. The IAWPA has village now has a social hub emotions, enabling them to employs local vets and offers which is more than just the choose any career path they wish. volunteer placements. local pub. Nominated by Nominated by Ricardo Aparicio Nominated by Annie Owen Emmanuel Quartey

14 BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR JOHN FAHEY, BCAv ASHLEY JONES, BCAc GRAHAM PENNESS, BCAv Lancashire Somerset Cheshire

John has for 57 years been a Ashley has transformed the way the Graham is a long serving Brancardier for the Lourdes voluntary sector provides protective volunteer with the Save the Pilgrimage which travels annually services for the expanding, older Children Fund, currently involved from Liverpool to the Southern population of South West with the local Ledsham & Manor French Town. Responsible for and South Wales. Recognising the Action Group. He has been an the welfare of the sick and increasing issue of criminals targeting elected independent councillor disabled pilgrims making the the vulnerable senior community for 23 years, 31 years fundraising journey, he washes, dresses with deception-type crimes he with Save the Children, 17 and feeds patients, whilst at all created a charity to support these years serving the community, in times treating them with respect vulnerable citizens, the Senior Citizen total 50 years of public service. and dignity. “His achievements, Liaison Team. He has created a safety Graham successfully led a commitment and determination magazine (250,000 readers) which campaign against a local housing have benefitted hundreds of features specially commissioned development and following people”. He is a confidante articles on senior safety and cyber- recovery from Prostate Cancer to the sick and disabled, but crime prevention. “He devotes successfully fended off their also to the other workers on every hour of his spare time to the appeal. ‘His efforts to assist his the Pilgrimage. Such is his SCLT”. Ashley created an outreach community are simply tireless’. commitment that he now serves team to personally deliver the Crime 1,000’s have been impacted by with Lourdes Hospitality to care Education Service, which is aimed at his public service and his work for other Pilgrimages arriving at hard-to-reach, yet vulnerable, groups. for Save the Children raised over the site. £100,000. Nominated by Nominated by Jenny Fahey Jonathan Williams Nominated by Nicola Ferguson

BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR 15 ROSA MACPHERSON, BCAv MAUREEN BRASS, BCAa CHANTAL LOCKEY, BCAh Alloa Surrey Dorset

Rosa is an Ambassador for Maureen Brass taught at the same After losing her own daughter to Cancer Research UK, with the school from 1939 until retirement cot death (SIDS) aged just 6 weeks important role of translating in 1980, nurturing musical talent in old in 2005, Chantal has worked Cancer Research into life-saving the young. In 1952 she established tirelessly for a decade to train campaigns, bringing them to St Dominic’s Music Group which student midwives and counsellors life through media awareness soon became known as a centre of in the taboo subject of infant loss. and campaigning for change. excellence. She adopted new and She has created the Foundation Rosa is a Cancer survivor 100% inclusive approaches to support for Infant Loss Training, is a dedicated to raising awareness students, especially those with pioneer in her field, and has to help others. “Her passion, limited means. “Miss Brass was developed an e-learning course strength and dedication make a pioneer in her field, embracing in infant loss and bereavement her a real asset to the charity”. and nurturing the talent she which is studied worldwide. She was the ‘Face of the discovered”. Her influence on “Chantal’s determination, Campaign’ in Scotland to have many hundreds of young people is passion and commitment have cigarette packaging standardised her lasting legacy. This 99-year-old helped thousands of healthcare to make it less attractive to has the admiration and respect professionals”. In addition to this young people. As an active of many of her former pupils, Chantal personally runs training fund-raiser Rosa has raised over several of whom attend the Annual sessions throughout the UK, £12,000 in the last two years Reunion that she continues to believing that education will save and works tirelessly in support lead. more babies’ lives. of the charity. Nominated by Nominated by Nominated by Katy Ashford Catherine Cunningham-Elliott Millie Lockey-Thompson

16 BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR JODIE VASQUEZ, BCAv MONICA RUSSELL, BCAv GORDON BADENOCH, BCAv Cumbria East Sussex Northumberland

Jodie was just 16 when she Monica is an outstanding, Since 1979 Gordon has been was diagnosed with the rare passionate and dedicated woman committed to the Durham condition of Ehlers Danos who has spent over 20 years of & Northumberland Wing Air Syndrome (EDS); a debilitating her life helping sick, injured and Training Corp (ATC) – first as disorder with astounding especially orphaned animals. a civilian instructor, then a consequences for sufferers. She has been devoted to two commissioned officer, now as Jodie has raised £21,000 in aid charities giving her time and a volunteer. During his time he of The Sick Children’s Trust, money selflessly to prevent has provided support to 3 Wing vowing to continue as long the suffering of animals. “As Commanders and numerous as she is able. She continues a community we would like Squadron Commanders. “He to help raise the profile of to honour Monica and say a has inspired many young people EDS and has set up her own huge thank you for all she has to pursue a career which might charity on social media ‘Jodie’s done”. Monica has endured otherwise be beyond their Journey’ to help other sick many sleepless nights feeding reach”. At age 82, Gordon is still children. “She is an inspiration orphaned wildlife whilst also actively involved and relishes to young people”. She is often holding down her day job. She the opportunity of mixing with cheerfully relating with other has selflessly given her time with young people, many from low- people on the social media no recognition, and only had to income households, so they may site, never disclosing the cease volunteering at the end of gain from his experience and severity of her own life-limiting 2014 through ill-health. knowledge and who may also condition. aspire to a worthwhile career. Nominated by Nominated by Maxine Farish Trevor Weeks MBE Nominated by Jill Badenoch

BRITISH CITIZEN AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR 17 British Citizen Awards ELIZABETH PARKER BCAo NICOLA STEVENS BCAo Roll of Honour July 2015 KENNETH GARDNER BCAa DAVID WESTLEY BCAc JOYCE ROTHSCHILD BCAv BARBARA RUBY QUARTEY BCAe KWONG NGAN BCAc JOHN FAHEY BCAv

JANE NEWTON BCAc PATSY ELLIOTT BCAv ASHLEY JONES BCAc HEATHER JONES BCAe CHRISTOPHER COLLEDGE BCAc GRAHAM PENNESS BCAv DANIEL O’BRIEN BCAc STUART RUSSELL BCAa ROSA MACPHERSON BCAv MAX LEVITAS BCAc DAVID HARDY BCAc MAUREEN BRASS BCAa GEORGE GERAGHTY BCAc MARY RAE BCAa CHANTAL LOCKEY BCAh MARK TIPPING BCAc BRIAN KAY BCAv MARTIN WYATT BCAa NICOLA TIPPING BCAc MARY KAY BCAv JODIE VASQUEZ BCAv GORDON BADENOCH BCAv PATRICIA CAFFREY BCAv MONICA RUSSELL BCAv

18 With thanks to our valued supporters

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