05/06/2022
| GMP's Sergeant Damieon Hartley–Pickles received his British Empire Medal (BEM) this week during a ceremony at Gorton Monastery, after he was recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours List earlier this year for his outstanding charity work.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and the Mayor of Oldham were also in attendance at the event.
Sergeant Hartley-Pickles has raised over £50,000 for charities over the past decade. He began his fundraising for various hospices around the North West, before dedicating much of his time to an Oldham youth charity, Mahdlo, who deliver life-skills and offer chances to underprivileged young people in Oldham. He has organised and taken part in 24-hour football matches, as well as running around his back garden over 4,800 times with his wheelbarrow in order to complete a half marathon, an effort that saw him raise over £1,700 for the NHS and Mahdlo.
In addition, Damieon has also raised £25,000 for the Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Oldham, who provide specialist care for adults with non-curable, life-limiting illnesses, by running a total of five marathons, 42 half marathons and twelve 10K runs with his trusty wheelbarrow in toe. He has also completed an Everest Base Camp Climb which raised £16,000.
Congratulations, Sergeant Hartley–Pickles! 👏