A SSAFA 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.
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.
“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.”
