GTCC Chair Awarded BEM

GTCC is delighted to announce that our Chair, Chris Britton, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, 2020.  The award has been made in recognition of his many years of community service, especially with young people, in Guildford.  Chris, who has lived in the area for nearly 40 years, was appointed Chair of GTCC in 2016. He joined as a volunteer Street Angels in its first year of operation and has since then been regularly out on the streets, as well as championing the work in his role as a Trustee. In addition, Chris has steered the inception of the Community Angels project which now serves the lonely and isolated in our local communities.

The BEM citation referred to Chris’s work with young people, and he has been a voluntary leader in the Boys’ Brigade for 45 years, 30 of which have been with the 1st Guildford Company, which he led for 15 years. Recently, Chris has been instrumental in a local initiative to start new after school clubs, called ‘Fusion’ groups.

Chris and his wife and family have been members of St Saviour’s Church, Guildford since 1981, where he has also served in many roles.

Chris said  “I am so proud , and humbled, to have been awarded the BEM, it is such an unexpected honour.  To be able to be involved with projects that have helped so many people, from all walks of life, and particularly have helped young people has been a privilege in itself.  I believe this special recognition reflects on the work of all the teams of volunteers at GTCC and the other charities I am involved in, who share my passion about serving others, motivated by putting faith into action”.

Chris will be presented with his medal by Michael More-Molyneux, HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey (who also has a role as Patron of GTCC), at a special ceremony.