King’s Birthday Honours: Wetherby charity founder awarded British Empire Medal for life-changing work with Kenyan orphans
A man from Wetherby has been awarded a prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his dedication to supporting orphaned children in Kenya.
Jim Hill, 87, founded the Katangi Orphans Charity in 2000 after visiting the rural area of Katangi, where he witnessed the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on local families and children.
With the continued support of parishioners at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wetherby, the charity has gone on to provide hundreds of children with access to education and opportunities that have helped transform their lives.
Many of those supported by the charity have progressed into higher education or secured vocational careers, with former pupils going on to work in professions including hotel management and school head teaching.
Jim has now been recognised in this year’s King’s Honours List for his dedicated fundraising efforts and hands-on work in Kenya.
Speaking about receiving the honour, Jim was quick to acknowledge the many people who have supported the charity’s mission over the past two decades.
He said: “This honour belongs to everyone who has helped the people of Katangi over the past 26 years.
"The parishioners of St Joseph’s Catholic Church have given so generously, and we have been so fortunate to have the support of the parish behind us for the past 26 years.
"The charity could not have grown the way it has, and supported so many people on the ground, without the church's support."
The British Empire Medal recognises Jim’s remarkable commitment to helping some of the most vulnerable children in Kenya, while highlighting the lasting impact of the generosity shown by the Wetherby community.