Leadership coach and former army officer Neil Jurd has been presented with an award in recognition of his charitable work.
Neil, who lives in Kendal, founded the Michelle Jurd Trust in memory of his wife who died in a road accident in 2009.
The trust has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities local schools and causes, including funding the personal development of young people through adventure training, and providing funding for Carlisle Youth Zone and Grasmere School Band.
He was one of 26 people to be awarded the British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster.
British Citizen Awards are made twice annually and honour everyday people for exceptional endeavour.
Neil was among the award winners from 2020 who receive a Certificate of Honour today in Westminster in a ceremony which was delayed by the pandemic.
He has also received the British Citizens Award Medal of Honour bearing the words For the Good of the Country.
In his professional life Neil is in demand nationally as an author and coach in leadership skills.
A former lieutenant colonel, he served 20 years in the British Army including tours in Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Iraq where he led Gurkha soldiers in operations.
As a leadership expert, he draws on his leadership training in the army as well as his time training officers at the Sandhurst military academy, and his experiences on the front line.
Neil left the army in 2009 to spend more time with his wife Michelle and their two daughters who were then aged two and four. But soon after, his world was turned upside down when Michelle, a former Royal Air Force Navigator, died when a lorry pulled out in front of her car.
His determination to create a legacy in her memory led to him founding the Michelle Jurd Trust.
Neil provides leadership training to organisations including the NHS, Burts Snacks, Virgin Media and the University of Sheffield. He also works with schools focusing on underprivileged areas.
Neil was Commandant of Lancashire Army Cadet Force for five years, helping to transform the lives of hundreds of young adults and help them on their way to becoming confident, independent members of society through creating exciting opportunities and encouraging their talents.
Neil is now director of initial officer training for Army Cadets UK, and in this role leads a team responsible for the initial training of all army cadet force officers.
