A Derbyshire charity which helps families facing short and uncertain futures to make memories received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a special event surrounded by 90 guests.
Melbourne-based me&dee, set up by Maria Hanson MBE, was presented with the award on Thursday by Mr David Coleman QPM DL and Lieutenant Colonel David Dawber TL DL on behalf of his Majesty the King.
The ceremony, at The Central Co-op County Ground, in Derby, was attended by civic dignitaries, including leader of Derby City Council, councillor Nadine Peatfield, the Mayor of Derby, councillor Ajit Singh Atwal, MP’s Baggy Shanker and Samantha Niblett, Maria’s daughters, charity trustees, volunteers, fundraisers and families supported by the charity.
The award is the highest honour a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and is considered equivalent to an MBE. Last year, across Derbyshire, only three organisations achieved this status.
The charity received a certificate signed by the King and a domed glass crystal and will be invited to a royal garden party.
Maria and her charity was nominated in recognition of outstanding voluntary community service over the last 20 years.
Maria said she was “thankful and proud” that her charity, which is run mostly by volunteers, has been recognised by His Majesty The King.
The 71-year-old said: “Years and years ago, Delia and I had a dream. She died before we could make it a reality and 20 years on, I carry her in my heart every day, hoping that she would be proud.
“I am so very happy that her son, Christopher and his wife, Alison, and my daughters, Xzena and Krystal, could share in this celebration.
“For our dream to become a reality, and for our charity, me&dee to flourish, we had to build an extraordinary team of volunteers – including our trusted board.
“Now, as proud recipients of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, I cannot thank them enough. It is more than I could ever have imagined when I set up me&dee all those years ago.
“My focus has always been to help and support as many families as I can and that is why we still do what we do.
“me&dee is volunteer led – from its CEO to its trustees, and is based in a tiny office with a small team of just four.”
Presenting the award, Lieutenant Colonel David Dawber TL DL, said: “I am extremely thrilled to present this award to me&dee and I would like to congratulate everyone involved.
“What me&dee does is absolutely fantastic and we would like to pass on our huge congratulations to you all.
“It is an honour for me to stand here today representing The King and recognising the outstanding achievement by a local, voluntary group supporting and providing support to families when they need it most.”
For years, Maria is affectionately known as Derby’s Fairy Godmother because of the continuing support she gives families facing challenging times. Despite battling her own disabilities, she works tirelessly to sprinkle joy into people’s lives with her continuing care programme – which has been designed to work hand in-hand with families.
The number of families seeking support from me&dee has risen every year.
Since the start, its vision has always been simple – to make sure that no family facing the most difficult times copes on their own.
The charity helps families where a potentially life-limiting, and often rare illness is diagnosed, by providing everything from private group swimming sessions, unique tailor-made outings for families, support for siblings through craft sessions and a specialist bereavement support group.
Since the start, me&dee has supported more than 9,000 families.
Maria said: “I do feel very overwhelmed and thankful and this award really does mean everything to me.
“We are an extremely small charity that always thinks big – and we do this thanks to our amazing volunteers.
“Of course, raising funds is one of our biggest challenges, but with the help of our supporters, we keep on fighting to support as many families as we can.”
To find out more about me&dee visit www.meanddee.co.uk, or to sponsor the charity so it can provide more support to families, please contact the charity office on 01332 297011
