THE LORD Lieutenant of Berkshire celebrated some of the unsung heroes of the county this week, awarding residents with accolades for their service to a number of causes.
Mr Andrew Try, Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire, hosted the Unsung Heroes of Berkshire Garden Party on Tuesday, May 27, at The Great House in Sonning.
It is the first of what is hoped to be an annual event which saw 6 British Empire Medals (BEMs) awarded on behalf of His Majesty The King, as laid out in his New Years’ Honours list.
The BEM forms part of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and was re-introduced in the 2012 after a gap of 19 years.
This honour was brought back to recognise and reward the dedication and hard work that so many people provide to their communities.
The BEM rewards achievements or contributions of very ‘hands-on’ service to the community in a local geographical area.
This might take the form of sustained commitment in support of local charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work that has delivered real impact.
The recipients included Mrs Aisha Abdus-Samad BEM and Mr Kamran Abdus-Samad BEM for services to children and young people with special educational needs.
Mr Michael Clews was also awarded a BEM for services to young people through the promotion of aviation, and Mrs Sarah Jane France BEM for services to the Community of Maidenhead.
BEMs were also awarded to Mrs Barbara Laing BEM for Services to the schools and local Communities of Kongwa, Tanzania, and Mrs Corrinne Rowe BEM for Voluntary Services to the Red Cross.
