Selfless Peterborough fundraiser honoured at Parliament

Paul England, from Gunthorpe, was presented with a British Citizen Award (BCA) for his decades of selfless work, helping scores of charities and good causes including The Royal British Legion, Macmillan Cancer Care and the Alzheimer’s Society,

Grandfather Paul, who lost his right leg following a medical procedure, has never received a penny for his efforts, which have including raising cash during the Poppy Appeal.

He said: “I retired from working at the Co-op because of my mobility issues, but I could not do nothing at all. I was asked to run the retirement group there, and started to collect money from raffles on the coach trips.

“I just wanted to do something to help people.”

Paul, who is a member of retirement group Probus, said he had no idea how much he had raised for good causes over the years.

The charities he has raised money for, help people both in Peterborough and across the world.

Paul was presented his medal by Jo Delbridge, on behalf of Dame Mary Perkins co-founder of Specsavers who said: “I am always humbled and inspired to meet the medalists of the BCAs and hear their stories. Each recipient has demonstrated a commitment to help others and make our world a better, safer and healthier place, and they thoroughly deserve to be honoured.”

He was presented with a medal - inscribed with ‘For the Good of the Country’ - and a certificate at The House of Lords .

He said: “It was a great honour to receive the award, and be invited to go to Parliament.

“I was nominated for it by people who I have helped over the years, which was very nice.

“My wife, children and grandchildren are all very proud of me.”