Friend of Purcell House Independent Living Scheme, Bruce Fergusson, is to receive a British Citizen Award in July, after he was nominated by Scheme Manager, Angela Shuck for all his hard work at the Scheme.

81 year old Bruce has worked tirelessly at Purcell House for the past 7 years. After the residents were left without a hot meal service back in 2011, Bruce, who worked for the previous caterers, sought out De Beers Garden Centre and approached them about providing the same type of service. Bruce took on the role with De Beers and every single lunchtime he brings the meals to the Scheme, serves up for around 20 people and then does all the washing up.

Bruce does this 7 days a week, not having had a single day off for a holiday, sickness or bad weather, and Angela felt that this needed to be recognised, so she nominated Bruce for a British Citizen Award (BCA) on behalf of all the grateful residents.

The BCA is open to every UK citizen and recognises individuals who do extraordinary things in their communities. Patron of BCA, the Duchess of York, said: “The BCA listens to the citizens of this great Country and not only hears the stories, but recognises monumental efforts that would otherwise have gone relatively unnoticed”.

Angela and Bruce will attend the Palace of Westminster on 5th July 2018, where Bruce will receive his award. Angela, said: “Bruce’s hard work deserved to be recognised. The residents being able to sit down to a hot meal every day is a really important thing, it encourages social inclusion and good nutrition. We’re all chuffed to bits that Bruce has won this award”.