An Armed Forces charity volunteer has received a prestigious honour.
Tracey Blake, a volunteer for the Cumbria branch of SSAFA, the armed forces charity, received the Sir James Gildea Global Award in recognition of her work at the organisation.
Ms Blake was awarded the accolade during SSAFA’s Annual Members’ Meeting at the Victory Services Club in London yesterday (Thursday, July 11).
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The award ceremonies were presided over by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, SSAFA’s president.
The award celebrates both paid staff and volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to SSAFA and embodied the charity's values.
Wakefield-born Ms Blake spent much of her life in Portsmouth, due to her father's Royal Navy service.
She now resides near Carlisle with her autistic son, Luke, and his assistance dog, Weiss.
In connection to her naval roots, Ms Blake served in the Women's Royal Naval Service, also known as the Wrens, for a decade, in locations such as Portsmouth, Northwood, Rosyth and Norway.
She said: "I spent most of my free time climbing, walking and skiing, but unfortunately, I damaged my spine and, after 10 years’ service, was medically discharged."
She thereafter had a unique career shift, explaining: "Yes, I trained as a ‘vampire’, I mean phlebotomist, and health care support worker, before starting my own health and wellness business, promoting the benefits of natural products and magnet therapy."
Beyond this, she and her son have co-authored books together.
She started volunteering for SSAFA in around 2010, becoming a divisional secretary of the Portsmouth branch of SSAFA and taking on over 200 cases each year.
She also once managed Gosport's office, volunteering 40 hours weekly.
Ms Blake said: "I have an autistic son and I needed a role to give me something to do with my time when he was at school, but that was flexible enough that I could drop everything and go if, and when, he needed me."
She and her son have raised around£6,000 for SSAFA, taking part in various fundraisers.
She had to step back from this practice when diagnosed with cancer, leading her to take up a less taxing role in Cumbria.
On receiving the award, Ms Blake said: "I’m thrilled to have been recognised with this award.
"I’ve worked – actually, when you work with great people, it doesn't feel like work, really – with some amazing people within SSAFA and feel that I’m receiving this award with and for them."
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