I am thrilled beyond words that David Lloyd, my Constituency Office Manager, has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens Birthday Honours.
It’s impossible to adequately put into words what a superstar David is, or explain how many lives he has touched over so many years. But I’ll give it a go.
David and his wife Cynthia founded the Second Chance organisation, and have run it for the last ten years. From small beginnings, Second Chance has now grown to encompass a purpose-renovated pavilion and a small cafeteria. It’s a lifeline, not just helping local families sell on unwanted bits to make some spare cash, but as a hub to tackle loneliness and isolation across the community. In the school holidays, David throws the Pavilion doors open for local groups to keep kids busy and happy. He has built an amazing band of volunteers, with with whom he arranges special events like Easter Egg hunts in the park, afternoon teas for senior citizens and children’s Christmas parties. For the last three years David has also helped to run a much-needed Kids Lunch club from the Pavilion during the school summer holidays. It’s no exaggeration to say that he has put food in the bellies of countless kids who would have otherwise gone hungry through no fault of their families. This is the person that David is.
More than all this, though, David is the most brilliant colleague, firmest of friends and staunchest of advocates anyone could ask for. I’d be lost without him, and think the world of him – even if I don’t always let on. He has worked tirelessly and selflessly for more years than I care to remember, and fully deserves the honour which he has been awarded today.
Congratulations David!
