{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"Seven Scouts community heroes have been honoured in the Queen\u2019s New Year\u0027s Honours list.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16054/bem-mbe-award.png","width":1365,"height":683,"altText":"Mock-up of pictures of four people placed next to each other. They are all smiling at the camera and wearing a stripy Scouts scarf.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to Tracey Rogers, Sarah Townsend and Jack Abrey, three Scouts community heroes who\u2019ve been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen\u2019s New Year\u2019s Honours list for services to young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027re honoured to announce that Graeme Hamilton, Kester Sharpe, Pete Oldham and Stuart Ballard have also been awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their services to young people at Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERead below to find out more about these extraordinary people.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGraeme Hamilton\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGraeme, from the Southside of Glasgow, has been awarded an MBE for his services to young people as a Scouts volunteer for 40 years.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGraeme has supported thousands of young people to gain skills for life, particularly those at 113\u003Csup\u003Eth\u003C/sup\u003E Glasgow in Burnside, Rutherglen where he is currently Group Scout Leader.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":null,"width":0,"height":0,"altText":"Graeme Hamilton - UK Commissioner for Programme (Delivery)","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EGraeme was one of Scouts\u0027 national lead volunteer team, initially as Commissioner for Programme, where he advised across the UK on the activity programme and safety; and then from January 2020 to September 2021 as \u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2019/december/graeme-hamilton-made-deputy-uk-chief-commissioner/\u0022 title=\u0022Graeme Hamilton made Deputy UK Chief Commissioner\u0022\u003EUK Deputy Chief Commissioner\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe helped volunteers across the UK to support young people from the start of, and through, the pandemic. As a result, 80% of Scout groups met online and \u00A31.3 million was raised for communities in need.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring his four decades of Scouts volunteering, Graeme has been particularly involved with Cub Scouts in Rutherglen, across Glasgow and then Scotland, finally becoming UK Cub Scout Commissioner in April 2007.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGraeme has also shown deep commitment to supporting other adult volunteers to get the most from their experience and been as effective as possible supporting them, when he was allowed to travel, across all regions of the country.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUpon receiving the honour, Graeme said:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201CIt was a total surprise, but I\u2019m thrilled to be receiving this award! I\u2019m proud to have been involved in Scouts for so long, and to have met and volunteered with some fantastic people along the way.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Everything I have done in the Scouts has been as part of a team. This award is not only for me, but it\u2019s also recognition for the many teams who support young people across the UK.\u201D\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I am so proud of Graeme and all our volunteer leaders for rising to the challenge when their nation needed them.","attribution":"Chief Scout Bear Grylls","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EKester Sharpe\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKester Sharpe, who was also Deputy UK Chief Commissioner until September 2021, as well as leading her local Scout group in Beverley, Yorkshire has been awarded an MBE for services to young people, especially during the pandemic.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":null,"width":0,"height":0,"altText":"Kester Sharpe","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EPete Oldham\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPete Oldham has been awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year\u0027s Honours List for his outstanding service to Scouting in the West Midlands.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPete has been a Scout Leader for over 60 years, within his Group the 114th Birmingham, District and Birmingham County.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EStuart Ballard\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA volunteer with Scouts for over 40 years,\u00A0Stuart\u00A0Ballard has carried out a variety of volunteer roles within the organisation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThese have included roles working directly with young people, through to senior support roles within the County.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16581/stuart-ballard.jpg","width":1472,"height":2043,"altText":"Stuart, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, red, white and blue scarf and green and yellow medal, smiles at the camera while sitting in a chair.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EStuart\u2019s currently Deputy County Commissioner for Avon Scouts, a role he\u2019s held for the last 10 years.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring his four decades of volunteering with us, Stuart\u2019s biggest passion has been working every week with his Cub Scouts at the 1st Keynsham Scout Group.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHe contributes at the Group, District and County levels, and has been at the heart of supportive successive generations of leadership and innovative developments locally.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"It was a complete surprise and I feel very humbled! I\u2019m proud and honoured to have been involved with the young people in Scouting for so long. Scouting brings so much to the lives of young people but is, of course, delivered in a team and so I feel this honour recognises them too.","attribution":"Stuart Ballard","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETracey Rogers\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETracey\u2019s been awarded for services to the local community during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETracey, who supports Scouts in Waltham Forest in East London, mobilised a team of volunteers to set up a food bank and deliver meals to those in need and particularly those who were isolating at home.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16052/tracey-rogers-bem.jpg","width":1391,"height":2165,"altText":"Tracey, wearing a red Scouts hoodie, places a bottle into a bag while smiling at the camera","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EDuring the peak pandemic period, the team of 90 volunteers packed and delivered over 60,000 meals from their base at their local Scout hall.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs well as delivering food, the volunteers spent time chatting to beneficiaries to reduce their social isolation and check on their welfare.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe food bank, Highams Park Food Aid, now known as the Hub, is still running today and supports over 200 families weekly across the Borough as well as providing a free community caf\u00E9 to encourage local people to reconnect.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETracey has also led a fundraising team who have currently raised almost \u00A3100,000 to ensure the future of the service.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn receiving her medal, Tracey said:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022It was a complete surprise and I feel very humbled! The Hub is a real team effort by a large group of dedicated people, many of whom have been with us for over 18 months now.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022As far as I\u2019m concerned this award is for every one of them and not just for me.\u0022\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"We\u2019re absolutely delighted for Tracey. She has been a Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteer for over 30 years and to get this recognition for going the extra mile is truly amazing and well deserved.","attribution":"Co-organiser and District Explorer Scout Commissioner Peter Rogers","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESarah Townsend\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESarah supports Scouts across West Oxfordshire. She\u2019s being awarded a British Empire Medal for mobilising 60 Scouts volunteers to help deliver prescriptions to the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring the pandemic, the team delivered nearly 7,500 prescriptions to those in need.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16056/sarah-townsend-bem.jpg","width":3024,"height":4032,"altText":"Sarah, wearing a beige Scouts shirt and stripy scarf, smiles at the camera","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAs well as delivering the prescriptions, the Scouts volunteers spent time chatting to patients to reduce their social isolation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn receiving her medal, Sarah said:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022It was a complete surprise and I feel very humbled! Before the first lockdown, we could see people queuing for up to two hours outside our nearest pharmacy.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I was quick to realise that there are so many adults in Scouts who could help.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022This truly was a huge team effort. The sheer number of people who volunteered their time for free shows the true sense of Scouting in every way.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Each and every one of those who helped deserves recognition.\u0022\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"The past two years nearly have been really tough for everyone. But in dark times, some people really do shine. \nSarah and the group of Scout volunteers she mobilised leapt into action delivering prescriptions to vulnerable and shielding patients. \nThey really stepped up to the challenge and helped those who needed help in the community.","attribution":"Chief Scout Bear Grylls","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJack Abrey\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJack\u2019s been involved in Scouting since he was six, and has developed a commitment to supporting his local community and good causes across the country.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to this, Jack\u2019s a Governor at St Michael\u2019s Primary School in Enfield, building on his passion for supporting young people to achieve their full potential.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/16050/jack-abrey-bem.jpg","width":5184,"height":3456,"altText":"Jack, wearing a white shirt, navy jacket, red tie and stripy scarf, smiles at the camera","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EHe\u2019s also an audiobook reader for visually impaired children and adults at Living Paintings, where he gives blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to access books.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENationally, Jack is an Ambassador for \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://bloodcancer.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Blood Cancer UK\u0022\u003EBlood Cancer UK\u003C/a\u003E and the #iWill Campaign.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDuring the pandemic, he\u2019s spearheaded Scout projects to support positive mental health and prevent social isolation in the most vulnerable in our communities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJack is also an environmental champion, having recently supported a delegation of young people to be the youth voice at \u003Ca href=\u0022/news/2021/november/chief-scout-bear-grylls-speaks-at-the-un-climate-change-conference-cop26-in-glasgow/\u0022 title=\u0022Chief Scout Bear Grylls speaks at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow\u0022\u003ECOP26\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on everyone, especially young people. The work Jack has spearheaded has supported many people and encouraged young people around the UK to do the same.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I\u2019m honoured to be receiving the British Empire Medal for services to Young People and Charity during COVID-19. \nI\u2019d like to pay tribute to the over 25,000 amazing young people and volunteers around the country, who lived their promise to help others and got involved. And to those who took other actions to connect and support their communities during these difficult times.","attribution":"Jack Abrey","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Put your nominations forward","body":"","link":{"name":"National honours","id":null,"url":"/volunteers/learning-development-and-awards/awards-and-recognition/national-honours/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#490499","title":"Do you know someone deserving of a National Honour?","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScouts wouldn\u2019t be possible without our incredible volunteers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey deliver the support that young people need. Whether it\u2019s helping out every week, once a month or once a year at camp, it all makes a difference.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBut volunteering at Scouts doesn\u2019t just help our young people, it\u2019s also #GoodForYou.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA joint study by the University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh found that volunteering drastically improves mental wellbeing and provides essential skills needed for employment.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInterested in learning how you can become like Graeme, Kester, Tracey, Sarah and Jack? \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/the-duke-of-edinburghs-award/introduction-to-the-dofe/volunteering/volunteering-with-scouts/\u0022 title=\u0022Volunteering with Scouts\u0022\u003EFind out more about volunteering with Scouts\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E.\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Volunteering with Scouts","image":"/media/13981/210510_squirrels_0144.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.07331657908765517,0,0.08312618993222141\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db261a5059cff0","imageFocus":"","imageId":27010,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"22 December 2021","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Nominating somebody for a National Honour","url":"/volunteers/learning-development-and-awards/awards-and-recognition/national-honours/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Chief Scout\u2019s Unsung Heroes 2021 announced","url":"/news/2021/october/chief-scout-s-unsung-heroes-2021-announced/","newWindow":false}],"id":76347,"nodeName":"Scouts Heroes Honoured","title":"Scouts community heroes honoured","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/16050/jack-abrey-bem.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dab8dd24ac3640","caption":"Jack Abrey BEM","type":"jpg","size":1669497,"width":5184,"height":3456,"altText":"Jack smiles at the camera while wearing a white shirt, navy jacket, red tie and stripy Scouts scarf"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Scouts community heroes honoured","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Seven Scouts community heroes have been honoured in the Queen\u2019s New Year\u0027s Honours list for their services to young people.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83NjM0NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/january/scouts-heroes-honoured/"}