A PROLIFIC fundraiser has been presented with a prestigious award by TV presenter Nick Knowles at a special event in London.

Funeral director Gary Neill, from the Colnes, received a British Citizen Award for services to volunteering and charitable giving.

He was one of just 29 winners from around the UK whose exceptional endeavours have had a positive impact on communities up and down the country.

Mr Neill was presented with his Medal of Honour by TV presenter and British Citizen Awards patron Nick Knowles, who hosted the event, and Katie Procter of sponsors Places for People.

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Through charity golf days and black-tie fundraising balls, Mr Neill has raised more than £1million for St Clare Hospice in Harlow, a hospice he has supported since it started and where he is a patron.

He has also raised money for Chelmsford's Farleigh Hospice and Isabel Hospice, in east Herts.

He has supported clubs in the community, including bowls and football, and over the years, through many charity golf days, has raised over £200,000 for local projects.

More recently, funds from the golf days have been used to help six local children with cerebral palsy.

These events alone have raised over £550,000.

Following the formal presentations, the medalists and their families boarded an open-top bus for a lap of honour tour courtesy of Big Bus London.

After taking in some of the iconic sights of the capital, they disembarked at Church House, in Westminster, for a certificate of honour presentation.

Mr Neill has been a funeral director for 46 years and joined family-owned Daniel Robinson and Sons, which has branches in Halstead and Braintree, as managing director 36 years ago. 

The British Citizen Award was established in 2015 to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on their communities and society.

The BCA recognises true community heroes who would otherwise be overlooked.

Dubbed the "People’s Honours", the BCA has recognised over 450 exceptional individuals for their endeavours, making them an exclusive group.

Anyone with an MBE, OBE or knighthood is ineligible for a BCA, having already been recognised for their efforts, however, anyone receiving the BCA can still be nominated for the other honours.

Nominations can be made a britishcitizenawards.co.uk.