Exmouth Friends in Need founder makes Queen's Honours List for service to community during Covid-19

The founder of a not-for-profit organisation in Exmouth has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Claire Austin, who founded Exmouth Friends in Need in November 2018 to help prevent and alleviate poverty for local families, was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) on Saturday 12 June.

The list read: "Medallists of the Order of the British Empire: Claire Louise Austin, for services to the community in Exmouth, Devon during Covid-19."

Claire said: "To hear that I'd been in the Honours List was completely overwhelming. I was in complete shock, and still am - it really hasn't sunk in!

"The volunteers in Exmouth have been absolutely amazing and paramount to what we do. So many people have shown kindness and stepped up to help complete strangers, and some of them have now become friends.

"It's wonderful - all those people who were paired up with an isolated person for three months to do shopping have made some lovely friendships going forward and still go to see them now.

"The group is going to carry on as we've been doing. We support people in poverty, we help people with household goods, people that have escaped domestic violence, people who go into a property with just the clothes on their back - we furnish the complete house from donations given by the public."

If you'd like to know more about Exmouth Friends in Need or make a donation, you can click here to visit their website.

You can also find them on Facebook here.

What is the Queen's Birthday Honours List?

The list is sent out each year on the Queen's official birthday to mark and honour the achievements of citizens of the United Kingdom.

The focus this year was on individuals who have 'put others before themselves', especially frontline and community heroes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The Queen's Birthday Honours allow us to pay tribute to all those who have gone above and beyond in their service to this country.

"Throughout the pandemic we have seen countless examples of everyday heroes.

"We should take heart from the stories of those receiving honours today and be inspired by their courage and kindness.

"May they be a reminder of all that we can achieve when we come together as a society."

What is a British Empire Medal?

British Empire Medals are awarded for services to the community, either by doing long-term charity or volunteer work or short-term work that has made a significant difference.

The Queen's Birthday Honours List also awards knighthoods, damehoods, CBEs, OBEs, and MBEs.