Her Majesty The Queen recognises Antiguan volunteer with Commonwealth Points of Light award

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth, on Friday 27 May, recognised Refica Attwood, representing Antigua and Barbuda, as the 226th Commonwealth Point of Light in honour of her exceptional voluntary service creating the country’s first community-managed national park.

 

Refica, aged 33, is the Executive Director of ‘Wallings Nature Reserve’, which spans 1,680 acres of rainforest. Refica hiked around Wallings in her teens and began to notice that locals were hosting large events and destroying the area with rubbish.

She started documenting the damage and put forward a business plan to government officials giving recommendations on how to save the space.

In 2016 Refica successfully gained a $50,000 grant to regenerate the area and has since led multiple reforestation projects, created safe trails for hiking, and built sanitary restroom facilities and outdoor events spaces.

As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer, or pair of volunteers, from each Commonwealth country every week.

By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate acts of charity across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Refica said:

“I am elated to have been awarded for my hard work and dedication and making an impactful difference in those that are around me. Nothing is impossible once you decide to get it done.”

Lindsy Thompson, Resident British High Commissioner in Antigua and Barbuda said:

“I’d like to congratulate Refica Attwood on her well-deserved award. Her efforts to revitalise, protect, and promote the environmental treasures around Wallings Nature Reserve are an inspiration and have captured the hearts and imaginations of all those who visit the area.”

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 54 nations and 2.4 billion citizens that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 54 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.

ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH POINTS OF LIGHT AWARD

The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding volunteers every day of the week – people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose story can inspire others to form creative, innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond.

Points of Light began in America under President George H. W. Bush and today over 7,000 US Points of Light have been recognised. The scheme has the support of all living US Presidents.

Since 2014 the UK Prime Minister has been recognising a daily Point of Light from the UK, with over 1,900 volunteers now recognised.

Commonwealth Points of Light is a continuation of this programme with a special series of awards recognising inspirational volunteers throughout the Commonwealth. One volunteer from each Commonwealth country was recognised in the days leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting chaired by the UK in April 2018. Following the success of this programme, Her Majesty The Queen decided to continue this work and award one volunteer, or pair of volunteers, from each of the 54 countries of the Commonwealth every week.

More information, including details of other Commonwealth Points of Light recipients, can be found on the website: pointsoflight.gov.uk

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