Housing 21 resident presented with British Empire Medal for 20 years of charity work in Wakefield

Celebrations are in order as Housing 21 resident, Tom Long at Box Tree Court in Boston Spa has been presented with the British Empire Medal (BEM).

The British Empire Medal is awarded for ‘hands on’ service in the local community, and in Wakefield, Tom has helped make a significant difference.

He said: “I opened a letter from the cabinet office and thought it was a scam. It said I had been nominated for the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Wakefield. I am extremely proud to be recognised for my work in the community, although this is not why I chose to do it.”

Over 20 years, Tom has been involved with and continued to support numerous local charities. Tom started his charity work at Reconnect, an older person’s charity, where he drove a minibus to take people to the local supermarket who were unable to get there themselves. He then became Treasurer and later Chair of the charity over the course of his time there.

Tom’s charity work didn’t stop there; he chaired the Senior Citizen Support Group, helping to launch the group in 2010 with four members. Now, there are over 600 members tackling loneliness amongst older people with coffee mornings, chair exercises, bingo and socials. Tom left his role as Chair to form the group’s choir, becoming Chair of the choir and was nominated for the BEM by the Music Director of the choir after they were astounded by his continued support to the local community and wanted it to be recognised.

(Pictured: Tom (left) and his wife, Ruth (right))

Over the years, Tom also became a Trustee of St Georges Community Centre, whilst also being a Trustee at Nova, an overarching charity which overlooks all charities in Wakefield, and also being part of the Community Foundation Board.

Until recently, Tom was also on the Housing 21 Residents’ Association at the Extra Care scheme where he lives, helping residents’ voices be heard.

Tom’s award was presented by Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson and when asked how it felt to receive such an award, Tom said: “The ceremony was very moving and informative. To find out how much charity work is going on in people’s spare time in the local community is amazing. If you counted the number of hours that has been contributed together, it would be incredible.”

Tom was awarded alongside 17 others, where everyone was presented with their medals followed by a group photo and refreshments.

The ceremony took place on Friday, 1 November at Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham which Tom attended with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandson.