A man from Kendal who has served the Red Cross for 60 years has been named in the King's New Year's Honours List.

Graham Hundley will receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of the outstanding work he does helping people during emergencies in the UK. 

He  joined the British Red Cross when he was 11 as a young cadet receiving training about what needed to be done in the event of a nuclear strike.

Graham said: "The British Red Cross is a very satisfying organisation to volunteer for - it gives me a great personal sense of satisfaction and benefits the community as well. 

“I am proud of everything I have done and feel humbled to be awarded a British Empire Medal for my work.” 

The Westmorland Gazette: A young Graham at one of his first Red Cross sessionsA young Graham at one of his first Red Cross sessions (Image: British Red Cross)

Learning about a potential nuclear disaster encouraged Graham to pursue a career in training other people.

64 years later, he is still as active as ever, having supported major emergency events across the UK.  

Graham has been a driving force behind the Red Cross’ Emergency Response in Cumbria (ERiC) initiative, which responds to emergencies such as flooding as well as supporting communities to build resilience. 

During the 2009 Cockermouth floods, he supported the evacuation of residents, organising volunteer rotas to staff the rest centres and supporting the drop-in hub.

During the 15-month recovery phase, he often drove an hour from home to home, delivering food parcels, prescriptions, and checking on people who had been left without power. 

Throughout the Covid pandemic, Graham coordinated NHS volunteers from his home after being seen as vulnerable to the virus.

He rostered the volunteers into two local hospitals where they organised PPE and helped to staff the meet-and-greet service.  

British Red Cross Chief Executive, Béatrice Butsana-Sita, said: “Every year, the New Year’s honours list gives us an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions made by our amazing volunteers and this is no different. 

“For decades, Graham has gone above and beyond, repeatedly there to provide emergency support to the communities of Cumbria - we thank him for his kindness, courage, and tireless dedication.”