Local charity worker, Ted Hudson, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for Services to Education with his charity, Bibles For Children, which he set up in 1997 based in Timsbury.

Ted is very much involved in running the charity as Founder and Chairman and assisted by his wife, two staff, Trustees and Associates, now celebrating 21 years supplying ‘The Rainbow Good News Bible’ and the beautifully illustrated ‘Children’s Bible’, given to Primary School children in each class across the United Kingdom.

533,000 Bibles have been given out to children, including a translation in Welsh, and reached 2,000 schools across the British Isles. Each Bible displays the pupils’ name and school presented inside. Over two million pounds has been raised for the work which is a remarkable achievement.

The many contributors of his award were made by Headteachers and individuals, with one saying a child had read their Bible from cover to cover during class time and started again! Ofsted also commented how well children knew their Bible. Parents, staff and governors have all spoken on the positive contribution to a child’s learning.

The continual growth of the Bibles For Children charity by Ted Hudson is with thanks to all the contributors from individuals and organisations who support the charity’s aim.

More information on Bibles For Children can be found at: www.biblesforchildren.org.uk where the Annual report includes more comments from Headteachers and children with some words by Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York when he presented children with their Bibles at York Minister.

S. Pepperell