AN honour awarded to a South East Cornwall community volunteer by the Queen has been officially presented.

Colonel Edward Bolitho, Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant, presented BEMs to Terry Bolt, from Callington, Janet Shephard, from Goonhavern, and Margaret Frost, from Bude.

The ceremony was hosted by the vice-chairman of Cornwall Council, Saltash councillor Hilary Frank, in the Council Chamber.

Colonel Bolitho presented the medals awarded in the New Year’s Honours List in front of family and friends of the recipients. 

Terry Bolt’s citation read: ‘Terry volunteers his time to improve the lives of others by encouraging them to undertake activities they enjoy or are passionate about. 

‘He is a “welcome home” volunteer visiting patients when they are discharged from hospital; a “living well” volunteer for Age UK and also runs his own men’s lunch club.

’He has enabled so many elderly people to get to places and do things they no longer believed they could do by giving them the belief “if you want to, you can do”.’

The Lord Lieutenant said: ‘I am deeply proud to be able to present these awards on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to such deserving people.

‘Yet again Cornwall has shown that there are those at the heart of its communities that give selflessly of their time to help others – my sincere congratulations and thanks to them all.’

Cllr Frank said: ‘It was a delight to meet these incredibly worthy recipients of the British Empire Medal today.

‘Their sustained commitment to their local communities is remarkable and I was grateful to be able to thank them personally for their service.’