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 Midlands 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 Midlands Today 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 Birmingham 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.