A local volunteer from Lancashire has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Frank McKnight, 63, from Lancashire has been awarded a BEM for his voluntary services to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. SSAFA provides lifelong support to those currently serving, veterans and their families in their time of need.
Frank, a Navy veteran, has been an integral part of the SSAFA Lancashire branch since 1995 as a volunteer caseworker and member of the IT user group, where he helped move the branch from paper-based to computer-based systems.
Over his 21 years of service to SSAFA, Frank has taken on new roles within the branch. In 1998, Frank became a Division Treasurer before being appointed as Branch Treasurer for the whole of Lancashire in 2009.
His remarkable work in SSAFA financial management, led to him being appointed on the National SSAFA Volunteer Advisory Committee in 2012. As part of his role, he is responsible for shaping decisions to support the work of all those involved in SSAFA caseworker activities.
SSAFA Lancashire is made up of 14 divisions and responds to 950 calls for help each year. Their network of volunteer caseworkers provides practical, financial and emotional support to veterans and their families across Lancashire to make sure no call for help is unanswered.
In addition to his volunteering role for SSAFA, Frank is also Governor of RNLI and was a member of the finance committee for the Fleetwood lifeboat and has raised funds for World Vision and Galloway’s Society for the Blind.
Kirsty Bushell, National Vice Chairman, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said:
“On behalf of everyone at SSAFA, I would like to congratulate Frank on being awarded the British Empire Medal. Frank works tirelessly and his contribution to SSAFA over the past 21 years is greatly appreciated.
“Frank is outstanding in all his activities: kind, compassionate and understanding with those in need and meticulous in financial matters.
“Frank has a wealth of experience and has become a guide and mentor for new members within the branch. These qualities, combined with his extraordinary contributions to the wider community provide unquestionable evidence that he is a truly remarkable volunteer.
“We are absolutely delighted that Frank’s hard work has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen, who we are extremely proud to have as the Patron of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. It is hugely well deserved.”
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For more information, please contact the SSAFA Press Office on 0207 463 9321 or email Emily.Garner@ssafa.org.uk
About SSAFA:
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity (formerly known as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association), provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, and their families. This includes both regulars and reserves.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. Every year our staff and team of volunteers help more than 60,000 people, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in Afghanistan and Syria.
For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @SSAFA.
