The Prime Minister’s Office announced today that Philip Neame, the Ulysses Trust Founder, has been awarded a Points of Light Award for his outstanding contribution to volunteering and for being instrumental in supporting thousands of reservists and cadets to take up a challenge and be inspired.
Since 1992 the Ulysses Trust has provided grants of almost £2M in support of 20,000 individuals from the Reserve and Cadet Forces to participate in adventurous training expeditions around the world. Without the support of the Ulysses Trust many participants, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, would not be able to take part, and the Trust is determined to address this to ensure that as many people can participate as possible.
Philip commented that he felt very privileged to have been selected for this prestigious award from the Prime Minister, but that the Points of Light award was recognition for all those who have supported the Ulysses Trust over the years either as fellow volunteers or financially. He then went on to say “We can only continue with their on-going help, and we firmly believe that what we do provides two bangs per buck – it adds another dimension to two proven organisations of real value to our society, but also enables many young people to engage in opportunities for their personal development which might otherwise be beyond their financial reach. For some, these opportunities can be simply life-changing.”
Prime Minister David Cameron said “Philip has been instrumental in supporting thousands of reservists and cadets to take up a challenge and be inspired. His dedication and enthusiasm to give something back to the remarkable individuals who serve our country has helped to secure £2 million of grants – an incredible amount – and I am delighted to name him the 86th Point of Light.”
Philip is the eighty-sixth winner of the new Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA and was first established by President George H. W. Bush. , Over 5,000 US Points of Light have been awarded and both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country.