Nominate your unsung hero for a national honour!

Community
Alexander Boswell, Chairman of Buckinghamshire's Honours Committee Lord Lieutenant Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, who set up the county's Honours Committee

A move to uncover more unsung heroes, who might be eligible for a national honour,is being made by Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher.

Sir Henry has set up a county Honours Committeeto make sure a broader reach of people who give exceptional service to the community get royal recognition.

They are invitingresidents, voluntary groups, community organisationsand businessesto put forward people from Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes they consider should be honoured.

Committee Chairman Alexander Boswell said that with around 60,000 volunteers serving in almost 4,000 voluntary and community organisations,he was sure Buckinghamshire had more than its fair share of people who deserve recognition.

‘Of course, it’s natural tohonour celebrities, but there are many people locally who give unstinting service,’ he said. ‘We want to see many more people atlocal level, reflecting the diversity of our communities, getting the recognition they deserve.’

Regional honours have traditionally come in the form of an OBE or MBE, but the committeeis encouraging nominations for the British Empire Medal (BEM), recently reinstated by the Queen, for those who have excelled with hands-on work in their local community.

Alexander said: ‘Now it’s possible to honour the people who previously slipped under the honours radar. We want to hear from local groups about their unsung heroes – people who have spent their lives working for the good of the community and have brought about change for the benefit of others.’

Earlier this year five Buckinghamshireresidents were honoured with the BEM for their outstanding voluntary communitywork: Mrs Margaret Dykes and Mr Tony Hoare, of Chalfont St Giles, Mrs Valerie McPherson, of Longwick, Mrs Lesley Turner, of Wooburn Green, and Mrs Sally Williams, of Bourne End.

And in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours two Buckinghamshire residents were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Mrs Sally Ash, of Beaconsfield, for her lifetime contribution as a volunteer to Britain’s inland waterways, and Mr John Wilson, of High Wycombe, for services to boxing, young people and charity in Marlow.

Two residents received the BEM fortheir outstanding voluntary community work: Mrs Jean Peasley, of Bourne End, and Mr Philip Smith, of Newport Pagnell.

More information about nominating your unsung hero: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/about-your-council/council-structure/lord-lieutenant/