The Lord-Lieutenant was pleased to host a British Empire Medal Investiture at Chevening House on 22 June for medallists from Kent who were awarded their British Empire Medal in HM The Queen’s New Year 2022 Honours List.
Liesje Athwal receives the Award for Services to the Community in Tonbridge, particularly during Covid-19. She is the Founder of FEAST (Families Eating and Sharing Together) and during the pandemic, set up community food larders to ensure that no families went hungry.
Eliza Ecclestone receives the Award for Services to the Community in Sevenoaks during Covid-19. She set up the group, Care For Our Community early on in the pandemic and co-ordinated a district wide volunteer effort, encouraging 1500 volunteers to care for those most in need.
Claire Ritchie receives the Award for Services to the Community in Sevenoaks, particularly during Covid-19. At the start of the pandemic, she set to work to help people as the challenges that many residents would be facing became clear. She obtained a grant from Sevenoaks Town Council and set up fundraising pages where she raised over £14,000 to set up a Lockdown Larder for those temporarily in need.
Kelly Short receives the Award for Services to People Affected by Cancer. She volunteers for Breast Cancer Now and is the Co-Lead of the Cancer Support Network at the Environment Agency and has created a network of local cancer advisors to provide support to all employees at the Environment Agency who may be dealing with the impacts of cancer.
Pamela Tolhurst receives the Award for Services to the Community in Gillingham. Pamela volunteers as the Pastor of Gillingham United Reform Church and has worked tirelessly to build the church’s relationships with the local community. She has formed close ties with the local Deaf Blind Club, local Care Homes and a Halfway House where she leads Services.
We would like to thank all the inspirational recipients for attending on the day with their loved ones, the Cadets who assisted the Lord-Lieutenant in presenting the medals, Deputy Lieutenant, Lord Sackville who read the citations and everyone at Chevening House, the perfect venue for such a special occasion.
