Two local men have received awards in the King’s Birthday Honours List. David Firth has received an MBE for services to Westbury Lions Club and Stephen Hicks, who is chair of The Trussell Trust, has received a CBE for services to charity.
“I’m staggered, utterly shocked,” David told White Horse News. “I couldn’t believe it when I opened the letter.
“You don’t go into Lions for things like this; you go into Lions to help support others in the best way you can, but it has made me feel so proud.
“I hope I’ve given my all to Lions but I do belong to a fantastic club here in Westbury and this award is for everyone in the club. Singularly, as one person you can only do so much, but together you can do so much more and that is what Lions is all about. This award is a massive feather in the cap for Westbury Lions. It will help put us on the map, which is what it’s all about.
“As it’s in the King Birthday Honours, I’m very much hoping it will be the King himself who presents it; that really will be the icing on the cake.”
42 years service
David has given over 42 years’ service to Westbury Lions and held all posts within the branch including being treasurer for nearly 30 years. He has also served at Zone, District, Regional and National level, notably as governor for the district and council chair of the British Isles and Ireland.
He has had a special interest in the ‘Lions Sight Savers Trust’ and has been trustee and secretary since 2002, helping to set up the Lions Eye Bank at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
He was the driving force behind Lions Clubs accepting female members and the instigator behind Westbury Leos Club for junior members, one of only two such clubs that exist in the south of the UK.
Absolutely delighted
Westbury Lions said the club is proud and absolutely delighted that David has been awarded an MBE. The club said, “Lion David has served our club and organisation for 42 years, excelling in all aspects and being exemplary in the ethos of our club and organisation. Lion David’s commitment to the community of Westbury began when he joined the club whilst working at Blue Circle, Westbury.
“The dedication and commitment that Lion David has given to our club has changed the lives of many of our growing community. Throughout this service, Lion David has always ensured that his wife Jean is as much a part of our family as he is and together they can celebrate this achievement. Congratulations Lion David.”
Stephen Hicks is chair of the Board of Trustees at the Trussell Trust, the anti-poverty charity which distributes emergency food parcels via its community food banks.
Honour
He said, “This honour is for the Trussell Trust and our community of food banks across the UK, and the work we’ve done together to support food banks and people facing hardship over the last few years.
“During the last seven years, I have been truly humbled and privileged every day to work alongside so many talented, determined people at the charity that make my role so much easier. I also see the work that volunteers and staff in food banks across the UK do day in, day out and that gives me full confidence that together we will achieve our vision to end the need for food banks.”
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said,“I speak on behalf of everyone at the Trussell Trust when I say that we are delighted that Stephen Hicks has been appointed a CBE in recognition of the significant contribution that he has made in supporting not only our charity, but the network of more than 1,400 food banks centres who we work alongside.
“Stephen has guided us through some of the most challenging years that our network has faced, including the pandemic and cost of living crisis which placed untold pressures on food banks. His expertise, guidance and commitment to the cause ensured that we have been able to always prioritise the needs of food banks and the communities they support. This has meant that the Trussell Trust and our network has been able to continue to meet the rising need for emergency food, provide vital wraparound services that help to lift people out of poverty, and strive to achieve the changes required to end the need for food banks.
“We are incredibly grateful to Stephen for everything he’s done to support Trussell and the food banks in our network. He truly deserves this honour.”
