Congratulations to Megan Bick, BEARR Trustee, on her award of an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours

The citation notes that Megan received the award under the Overseas and International Honours List ‘for services to Civil Society Development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia’.
But she was also singled out in the associated press release for a fuller dedication:
‘Megan Bick is recognised for an outstanding and sustained contribution to marginalised groups and civil society development in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Her work in the employment of various international and UK government agencies over the last 3 decades has had a significant impact in improving the lives of vulnerable people in the region.
She has also used this accumulated knowledge and experience in her unpaid role as a Trustee of The BEARR Trust, a British charity focussed on the health and social welfare of disadvantaged people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In this role, she has helped the Trust in launching its Ukraine Emergency Appeal. In just over a year the Trust has sent about £500,000, raised by its supporters, to around 60 organisations in Ukraine and Moldova, who have used the money to provide vital shelter for displaced people, to buy emergency food and medical supplies, to organise evacuations, and to provide psychological support.’
Megan is quoted as saying:
‘I’m thrilled the work of The BEARR Trust has been acknowledged and the honour should be shared between all those past and present who have contributed to the strengthening of the voluntary sector in Eastern Europe, so crucial at times of adversity.’
Needless to say, BEARR colleagues are delighted at this well-deserved honour for Megan, who has been working with BEARR since its inception, driving lorryloads of medicines to Russia in the emergency following the collapse of Communism, and more recently as a very active and committed Trustee.
We are also delighted that the same award has gone to Daryl-Ann Hardman ‘Founding Trustee and Chairwoman, Friends of the Belarusian Children’s Hospice. For services to Children’s Palliative Care in the Republic of Belarus.’
Daryl-Ann is also a former Director and subsequently long-standing and committed Trustee of The BEARR Trust, and as such covered the wider region as well as Belarus.
We further note with pleasure the award of an MBE in the Civil List to Luke Grenfell-Shaw, ‘cancer activist and cyclist, founder Bristol2Beijing, for services to charitable fundraising for people with cancer.’ Luke’s epic cycle ride covered much of BEARR’s region, and he generously shared the proceeds of this leg with The BEARR Trust.