A night to remembers as Gill receives her BEM

Inspirational Alnwick resident Gill Castle had a night to remember when she was presented with her BEM by the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland during a film premiere at Alnwick Playhouse.

Dr Caroline Pryer, Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, highlighted Gill’s determination to improve the lives of women who have suffered birth trauma in Kenya and the UK where she founded the charity Chameleon Buddies, became the first person with a stoma to successfully complete a solo channel swim and reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The BEM was presented to Gill in front of a full house at Alnwick Playhouse who had gathered to watch the premiere of ‘Cloudline: Where Women Rise’, a film showing the story of the group trek up Africa’s highest mountain.

The Mayor of Alnwick, Councillor Geoff Watson, was among the guests and he spoke with pride about his colleague Gill who is also a member of Alnwick Town Council.

Geoff said “Gill’s achievements demonstrate incredible physical and mental resilience, but perhaps her greatest accomplishment has been giving hope to countless people who believed their lives had changed forever. She teaches us that resilience is not about pretending life is easy, but about facing every obstacle with courage, humour and determination. Everyone in Alnwick is so proud of Gill and I was thrilled to see her receive the BEM.”

At the end of an emotional evening for Gill she said “I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had in raising awareness of those injured in childbirth or living with a stoma. It’s a huge privilege to be recognised on behalf of the work of Chameleon Buddies. I hope that in future there will be less stigma for those who have suffered like I have, and so many others.”

Gill is pictured receiving the British Empire Medal from Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland Dr Caroline Pryer; with her son Sam and mother Sally; with Evelyn Brenda from the charity Bring Hope Kenya; with fellow Kilimanjaro climbers and members of the Chameleon Buddies board of Trustees.