Three dedicated people who were honoured for their service to their communities in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 have been presented with their awards by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire at two investitures at County Hall, Glenfield.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Murray Colville TD DL, presented three British Empire Medals (BEM) at two ceremonies held in October.

The BEM recipients were:

Peter Blount, for services to the community in Wymeswold. Mr Blount has been involved in supporting several local groups and charitable causes, including St Mary’s Church, running an after-school club for the village primary school, volunteering for the East Midlands Ambulance Service as a Community First Responder, organising CPR training for village residents and interactive first aid sessions for primary school children, and volunteering as Group Scout Leader for the 1st Wolds Scout Group.

Maureen O’Malley, for services to the community in Market Harborough. Mrs O’Malley worked for many years in various roles at Voluntary Action South Leicestershire, a local charity providing services and projects to improve lives. She secured external funding to set up and establish a dementia guardians initiative, to provide additional support to people in need in Market Harborough.

Mark Storer, for services to charitable fundraising for people with cancer. Mark, from Coalville, is the founder and chair of the charity Brown Dog, which raises money to fund vital equipment or infrastructure to improve the detection or treatment of cancer, as well as improving patient care. Colonel said:

“I am delighted to present these honours to three Leicestershire residents who have dedicated themselves to the wellbeing of their communities."

“Their wonderful and selfless contributions have been rightly recognised, and it is a real pleasure and privilege for me, in my role as Vice Lord-Lieutenant, to present these honours to them on behalf of His Majesty the King.”