Former Charity Boss Receives British Empire Medal

A Market Harborough woman recognised by the King for services to the community has been handed her award.

Maureen O’Malley worked for town-based charity VASL for 30 years and headed-up the organisation for 12 years until retiring at the end of 2023.

Maureen with her medal

Maureen was instrumental in securing funding to set up and establish several projects to help both young and older people in the community.

She was named in the King’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year .

Maureen was presented with the British Empire Medal at a ceremony in Leicester by Colonel Murray Colville, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, on behalf of the King,

She told HFM the honour is not just for her:

Maureen O’Malley, Colonel Murray Colville and fellow medal recipient Peter Blount

Two other people from Leicestershire were also presented with medals after also being recognised by the King.

Col Colville said: “I am delighted to present these honours to three Leicestershire residents who have dedicated themselves to the wellbeing of their communities.

“Their wonderful and selfless contributions have been rightly recognised, and it is a real pleasure and privilege for me, in my role as Vice Lord-Lieutenant, to present these honours to them on behalf of His Majesty the King.”