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A ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ volunteer from Epsom who has spent 40 years with the organisation has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Jon Richards, 61, followed in his mum’s footsteps as a volunteer with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ and has worked across a number of different services during his four decades with the charity.

Jon enjoys helping individuals and families, having attended numerous callouts across the South East as well as helping at rest centres. This included an incident in 2014 when Jon volunteered for four days straight, supporting people caught up in severe flooding in London and Brighton, and in 2017, when he supported the response at Grenfell Tower.

Jon, who also met his wife through the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, said: “It’s a real honour to be given a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours for my time volunteering with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ.

“We work hard to help people who face the most difficult challenges in life and I’m very proud to be recognised with this award.”

Described as a modest and quiet man by his colleagues, Jon’s knowledgeable, methodical, and calm approach builds trust with both service users and partner agencies. On one of his most recent callouts, Jon supported in a case of hoarding, where the member of the public would not allow firefighters or social services into their home, but felt comfortable allowing Jon in to discuss alternative accommodation options.

Jon added: “It’s important to show kindness and compassion whenever you’re carrying out volunteering duties and having met so many brilliant colleagues over the years at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, I know that everyone here will do everything they can to help those in need.

“Throughout the last 40 years, I’ve worked in so many different areas of the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ and had a chance to see how big an impact the work we do can have on communities.”

ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ Chief Executive Béatrice Butsana-Sita said: “Jon is an incredible ambassador for the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ and a fantastic example of the brilliant staff and volunteers that support our vital work.

“For 40 years he has been a huge figure in our Surrey services, giving up his time to support people when they need it most.

“I am delighted to see Jon rewarded for his work with a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours list and would like to congratulate him on this amazing achievement.”

ENDS

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For over 150 years, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. With millions of volunteers in over 190 countries, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ is part of an international humanitarian Movement that’s there for people before, during and after a crisis. Together, we are the world’s emergency responders.