On 26 September sixteen recipients from across the West Midlands will receive their British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Derrick Anderson.

The honourees will attend the ceremony at Birmingham Council House, that will also include presentations to two recipients from last year and one from outside the region.

The recipients include eight from Birmingham, two from Dudley, and a person from each of Wolverhampton, Kingswinford and Halesowen. The recipient from Coventry, Robert Arnott, has sadly passed away so his daughter Jane Cheesman will collect his Honour on his behalf. 

All have made an active contribution to help others and make the region a richer, kinder place. All are passionate about what they do and have gone to extraordinary lengths to help others, volunteering their time for countless years. Many have gone through emotional journeys that have driven them to greater achievements in their quest to support others who are often vulnerable or suffering.

The Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Derrick Anderson CBE, who has recently taken up the position, believes the recipients reflect the depth and breadth of caring and goodwill that many people provide in the West Midlands.

He said: “It is an absolute pleasure to bestow the BEM awards upon so many deserving recipients and meet these wonderful people who give so much of their time to make our region a better place. They are an inspiration to us all.”

If you know of individuals who should be recognised you can make a nomination at gov.uk/honours.