Waste food hamper hero recognised by the King

A woman who helped provide some 630,000 free meals to people in her home town has been recognised in the King's New Year Honours.

Lianne Simpson, 40, and her community interest company (CIC), Diamond Hampers, started handing out food parcels to people in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, in 2020.

The hampers include fruit and vegetables from shops and businesses that would have otherwise been sent to landfill.

Reacting to the news she had been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal, she said she was still "in disbelief".

"Honestly I am incredibly privileged and honoured to be receiving this," said Ms Simpson.

"I'm so proud and honoured to share it with everybody that I know now."

The volunteer, who lives in Huntingdon, said the organisation served as a community hub, helping people access "not only food but friendship and support and guidance".

"I wanted to make people's lives better," said Ms Simpson.

She began the service six years ago from her garage before growing it into the "huge organisation that we've become".

"Diamond Hampers is so important, because what we do is about dignity and empowerment.. and sustainability for the planet."

She said redirecting food waste on a large scale helped redirect about 25 tonnes of food waste a month, preventing it from going to landfill.

The group started before the pandemic and she said there was still a demand for its support.

Some 40 volunteers and six paid staff run the CIC.

Ms Simpson now hoped to grow the organisation nationwide through franchising the business model.

Other people in Cambridgeshire awarded honours include:

• Craig Bennett, chief executive officers, The Wildlife Trusts, is appointed OBE for services to the environment
• Tracy Foster, chief guide, Girlguiding, is appointed OBE for services to Girlguiding
• Prof Michael Lennard Nicolson, prof of transplant surgery at the University of Cambridge, is appointed OBE for services to kidney transplantation
• Richard James Grenville Turfitt, traffic commissioner, is appointed OBE for services to road safety and justice
• Georgina Wilson, chief executive officer, BUD Leaders, is appointed OBE for services to social enterprise
• Matthew Peter John Baker, is appointed MBE for services to technology and to wireless communications
• Peter Charles Phillimore Boardman, effects analyst, Ministry of Defence, is appointed MBE for services to defence
• Dr Ayla Frances Humphrey, associate prof in the Department for Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, is appointed MBE for services to young people with acquired brain injuries
• Rachael Nicola Tackley, theatre consultant, producer and curator, is appointed MBE for services to the arts
• Debra Marie Scotting is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Warmington, Northamptonshire
• David John Toop is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire

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