Reuben’s Retreat founder Nicola Graham (pictured right with harmony group The Overtones) has been recognised by the government’s Points of Light programme for her charity efforts.
The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.
The prime minister David Cameron mentioned Graham on Twitter, saying: “Nicola Graham wins today’s #PointsofLight for founding @ReubensRetreat in memory of her son, to help families of seriously ill children.”
Nicola turned a personal tragedy into a pioneering million pound charity project to help the families of seriously ill children. After her son died from a brain tumour, she raised £1.2 million for Reuben’s Retreat and is converting a building into a tranquil countryside retreat to provide respite breaks for families.
Graham said: “I was thrilled to receive the call from the cabinet office. I don’t do any of this work alone, we have an incredible team of gifted volunteers who give their skills, energies, talents and time to our project.
“I dedicate this award for voluntary services to them, our army of love and compassionate hearts.”
The charity has already supported more than 100 families so far and is continuing to fundraise.
Reuben’s Retreat released a ‘thank you’ video for the travel trade in mid-March to showcase the transformation of the charity’s new premises into a bereavement counselling centre.