Royal recognition for volunteer Amelia, 24
VOLUNTEER AWARDED
A 24-YEAR-OLD volunteer who spent the lockdown months helping to prevent loneliness in her community picked up her MBE this week.
Amelia Collins-Patel, from Thurnby, became one of the youngest people to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire when she was named in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours aged just 22.
On Tuesday, she was finally presented with the honour for her services to children and young people at a ceremony in Windsor Castle.
She now hopes that her MBE will lead to other young people being recognised for their contributions.
Amelia, who has dedicated many of her young years to volunteering and young people – including serving as an ambassador for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – arranged catch-up sessions so people did not feel lonely or anxious during the lockdown.
She said: “It feels exciting but also there is some pressure with it.
“Hopefully it’s paving the way for more young people to be able to get nominated and to get recognised for the amazing work they’re doing.
“I’ve not done anything huge, it’s a day to day thing I’ve done, and I’ve just continued doing that from the age of six.”
She added that she was pleased to meet Prince William, who is an inspiration to her.
“I know how much passion he has for people who are making a difference,” she said.
“For me, he’s always someone who has inspired me as he’s going to be king one day and he’s spent so much time getting to know what it’s like for people like us.
“To hear his passion directly from him was so inspirational, it’s just encouraged me to go ‘Okay, what can I do next?’”
She also referred to William’s previous campaigning about mental health, alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and his brother, the Duke of Sussex.
Amelia said: “He was really happy I’m continuing the legacy they started, and has really encouraged me to continue making that difference, because, as he said, it’s my generation and those younger than me who have got to spearhead it and pave the way going forward.”
MBE HOPES HER HELP PREVENTING LONELINESS WILL INSPIRE OTHERS