Ceri Dando, president of the Lakeside British Society and a lifelong hands-on community contributor, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honors list, announced this week.
The medal honors British citizens who make a difference in their communities through voluntary effort.
“I was very surprised,” said Dando, although he admitted knowing that Susan Bruhaug, a member of the British Society, had submitted his name as nominee for an honor nine months ago.
Born in Wales and raised in Guildford, England, Dando began his community activities in the 1950s when he volunteered as a St. John’s Ambulance driver and joined the Godalming Round Table.
Dando moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1964 with his wife and children to work as an engineer for a British company.
His charitable efforts in the United States extended to working with Meals on Wheels, the Scouts and with the Anglican Church. He retired in 1989.
After running a B&B in Hendersonville, North Carolina for a few years, Dando and his wife Peggy moved to the Lake Chapala area in 1995.
Dando has worked tirelessly in favor of charitable endeavors since coming to Mexico.
He has helped set up assisted living projects for expats and locals, spearheaded fundraising for needy families, established a soccer team for Mexican youths and helped a bright boy with limited resources through university.
A stalwart of the Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church congregation, Dando has made significant contributions to the parish’s activities and outreach programs, says Rev. Winston Welty, rector of St. Andrew’s.
Dando took over the running of the Lakeside British Society in 2000 and has taken it to another level, turning a declining organization into an important central resource and support group for British expatriates.
In addition to organizing a monthly luncheon with invited speakers, Dando authors a monthly newsletter and “motivates the more active among us to help others,” says Bruhaug.
The significance of the society has grown to such an extent that two British ambassadors to Mexico have visited Lakeside to meet with members since Dando took over.
Bruhaug also notes that Dando has been of tremendous assistance to British expats after the Mexico City embassy closed down the honorary consulate in Guadalajara, helping them with passport and pension issues, as well as offering advice on Mexican bureaucracy, immigration and medical concerns.
Unlike other honors, the BEM is not awarded by the Queen but by her Lord-Lieutenants (representatives), or a local authority.
All of the recipients, however, are invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate their achievements.
The BEM was established in 1917, along with the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and awarded to UK citizens until 1992, when it was scrapped by Prime Minister John Major, who wanted more people to receive their awards from the Queen herself.
Prime Minister David Cameron reinstated the BEM in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and give greater recognition those who provide service to their local communities.
Around 300 BEM’s are handed out each year.