02 Jan Bradwell-on-Sea civil servant honoured by the Queen
A Bradwell-on-Sea resident and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employee has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2022 for their significant charity work to transform the lives of people in Ethiopia.
Mike King, who is a long-standing civil servant of 42 years, has been awarded a BEM – a British Empire Medal for his services to the Ethiopia Hope charity, a project he and his wife Angie set up to support families in need after their life-changing trip to the country in 2003. Since starting the charity, Mike and Angie King have fundraised over £250,000 for families in Ethiopia.
Mike credits his career at DWP for inspiring him to improve the lives of people in Ethiopia. His career as a civil servant began in 1979, starting out at the Department for Health and Social Care and moving on to DWP where he now works as an Operations Manager covering five jobcentres in Essex.
Reacting to his award, Mike King said:
“To say I was stunned by being nominated for this award is an understatement. I never dreamt that I would be recognised in this way.
“My career has been very varied, and I have always been proud to tell people where I work in DWP and how we change people’s lives every day.
“In 2004 my wife Angie and I travelled to Ethiopia and little did we know that this would be a life changing trip. Having seen the plight of some of the people we decided to help – we set up a project called Ethiopia Hope and have returned to Ethiopia every year supporting communities.
“To date we have fund raised over £250,000, every penny of which has supported many people. For example, 250 homes built, an ongoing project to set up electricity in homes which to date has helped 400 people, supporting scores of people into employment, help with medical needs, connecting water suppliers, a sponsorship scheme allowing children to go to school and day care, as well as a feeding and education programme for children and single mothers.
“As honoured as I am to get this award I feel that it has to be shared with so many people, none more so than my wife, but also the many family, friends and my fantastic colleagues in DWP who have supported the project with fundraising, donations and sponsorship.
“I have no doubt that the years in DWP helping and supporting people in my day-to-day work created the catalyst to help people in Ethiopia, both of which fills me with empathy and pride.”
Mike King is one of 17 DWP employees recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2022. Every year the honours system marks the achievements and breadth of service given by extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.
DWP Lords Minister Baroness Stedman-Scott said:
“It’s fantastic to see such inspiring people working at DWP being recognised for their conscious efforts to bring about positive changes in our world – whether through their role at work or in their spare time.
“I congratulate every single one of them and those across the wider civil service, who have been awarded for going above and beyond to help others. Thank you for all you do.”
