A volunteer received a national award for her “extraordinary contribution” to bettering the lives of people in her community. 

Lynne Misner, from Watford, received the British Citizen Award for her “Warm in Winter” project which distributes gift bags helping to keep elderly and vulnerable people warm during the winter time.

She was given a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words “For the Good of the Country” during a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster on July 5 and was one of 29 medalists honoured for their contribution. 

Lynne started the project after her boiler broke down during a cold spell leaving her without hot water for four days. 

She read an article about how many elderly people are unable to pay for extra heating during the winter and struggle to keep warm and that many were at risk of serious health problems if they are cold in their own homes.

Left to right: Michael Underwood, Lynne Misner BCAc, Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers

Hillingdon Times:

Lynne decided to take action by calling on councillors and businesses in the area to help raise the £1,500 she needed to buy and distribute the first 50 “Warm in Winter” gift bags which contained blankets, socks, gloves, hats, mugs and hot drinks she got from a wholesaler. 

She was helped by the Hertfordshire Independent Living Service, Age UK Hertfordshire and other local organisations in reaching elderly people in the area who might be in need. 

In little over three years, Lynne has had a positive impact on more than 8,500 individuals. She runs the scheme entirely in her spare time and is supported by a small yet dedicated team of volunteers. 

Lynne said: “I feel honoured and privileged to receive this award. The work that we do simply could not happen without the incredible support of our partners from the voluntary, statutory and corporate sectors as well as well as our ever-growing team of volunteers. 

“Working together has enabled us to change the lives of some of the loneliest and isolated older people in our community. I believe that we should never underestimate the positive impact that an act of kindness can make”.

The British Citizens Awards were launched in 2015 and are held twice annually to recognise “everyday people” whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked. The awards are sponsored by Specsavers, Places for People and Cisco. 

British Citizen Award Patron, Specsavers co-founder Dame Mary Perkins, said: “Lynne Misner has made an extraordinary contribution to the wellbeing of thousands of vulnerable older people and so made their world more human. A truly worthy winner of this national honour of the British Citizen Award for service to her community”.

TV Presenter and ceremony host, Michael Underwood, said: “Having presented the very first British Citizen Awards, it was a real honour to be invited back and a privilege to meet the incredible people being recognised for their contribution to society.”