Corbridge man gets MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
A Corbridge man has received an MBE in this year's Queen's 90th Birthday Honours for his charity work
A Corbridge man who has dedicated 30 years of his life to helping the homeless has been awarded an MBE.
Bob Eldridge, Chairman of The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle, was recognised in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours List last night.
For the last decade, he has run the charity after previously spending 20 years as a Trustee and regular volunteer on the Sunday morning outreach session helping to feed the disadvantaged people of Newcastle.
The charity has served on average 40,000 hot meals per year to the city’s homeless and disadvantaged population and demand for its services has increased by 30% in the last five years.
Bob has been volunteering alongside his own busy international retail consultancy business, but says the experience has
“It doesn’t half broaden your horizon, it doesn’t half change you as an individual because quite honestly there isn’t much I haven’t seen, it’s the same with the majority my volunteers. IT opens our eyes, keeps our feet on the ground and humbles us every day.
“I was absolutely flabbergasted to be honest that I’ve been honored in the Queen’s 90th Birthday on her celebrations today. I am amazed and astounded.
“Whilst it may be about my achievement I would also like it to be a lever that I can use in my campaign to help the poor. I believe people in our country today would like to see government address homelessness once and for all. Charity begins in our own back yard here in Newcastle.”