Stevenage Rotarian, Oli Khan, has been awarded an MBE in the birthday honours list, which was announced this month.
Oli Khan, and his Surma Takeaway in Stevenage, committed to give 5,000 complementary curry meals to NHS frontline staff and other key workers across England.
That figure now exceeds 10,000 meals.
Oli has been providing complementary food to the NHS frontline staff and other key workers in care homes, ambulance, police and fire stations, postal depots, bin workers, bus drivers, and for the blind and disabled.
Oli has been providing complementary food to the NHS frontline staff and other key workers.”
Those meals have been gratefully accepted at hospitals, hospices and key worker bases across Hertfordshire and North London.
All the meals were cooked directly by Oli to make sure all the taste and ingredients were correct and met with his high levels of food standards.
Because of COVID-19, Oli closed his takeaway for six weeks. However, he continued cooking and didn’t stop cooking food for NHS and key workers despite fasting in Ramadan.
The intention is to deliver to many more meals to hospitals around England in the coming months.
Oli also provided Ramadan Big Iftar at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust to breakfast with all faiths and religious peoples.
Chris Bown
Also honoured was Yorkshire Rotarian, Chris Bown, who received a British Empire Medal for her tireless work for both Rotary and the Salvation Army.
She has been community manager at Keighley Salvation Army for more than 17 years.
“When the Honours’ email first came, I thought it was spam!” said Chris. “But my husband Les said ‘read it through, Chris. It’s not spam!’.
“After the initial shock, I was flattered by the nomination.
“I first volunteered for the Salvation Army one Christmas and discovered how hard people, especially the officers, worked and how difficult it was for people in Keighley.
Also honoured was Yorkshire Rotarian, Chris Bown, who received a British Empire Medal for her tireless work for both Rotary and the Salvation Army.”
“So when I took on the paid role 17 years ago, it was ideal for me. I could be hands-on with people and fundraise at the same time – and you know you’re making a difference.”
Chris is also a Rotarian and in 2018, when president of Haworth & Worth Valley Rotary Club, she chose the Salvation Army as her nominated charity.
Trevor Monteith
Trevor Montieth, an honorary member of Carrickfergus Rotary in Northern Ireland, received an MBE for his services to adults with a learning disability. He is President of the Carrickfergus Senior Gateway Club.
Blake Simpson, who is a founder member of Brackley Rotary, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in the Northamptonshire town where he serves as a councillor. He said: “I’m delighted and humbled to have received this award. It has truly been a privilege to work with, and for the children and residents of Brackley, a town I love, for so many years.”
Rhona Dunn, who was Morpeth Rotary’s first female President, has received a British Empire Medal. She played a big part in the response to the major flood in the Northumberland town in September 2008. In addition to running the furniture depot with the Rotary club, she offered administrative services. Rhona has been involved with the Boys’ Brigade for more than 40 years, and is current Chairman of Contact Morpeth Mental Health. “I feel really honoured to be given a BEM and very humbled, as I am sure lots of people do voluntary work and do not get recognised,” she said.
