DUAL Asset Manager awarded Lord Mayor’s medal for compassionate service during the global pandemic.

Kate Thorp, Manager of Inheritance and Estate Protection at DUAL Asset, was the recent recipient of an award from the Lord Mayor of Sevenoaks in Kent for her community volunteering work in response to the global COVID 19 pandemic.

Kate, who lives in Sevenoaks, answered the appeal from her council for volunteers in the area to assist with the vaccine rollout into the community. Her local pharmacy rose to the challenge as the vaccine centre by converting its tiny backroom into a vaccination hub.

The response was staggering. As it was practically the only vaccine walk-in centre in West Kent, the hub vaccinated more than 100,000 people, with those eager to get the jab travelling from as far as Ashford and Canterbury.

Kate said: “They were desperate for volunteers so about 30 of us decided to help out. We were there in all weathers, and it involved a lot of stuff like registration and traffic management due to the popular turnout. My husband, who is ex-military, is also an emergency services worker and he encouraged me to take part.”

Encouragement too from DUAL Assets own Managing Director Ian Keith who granted Kate the time off in the working day to volunteer. Ian said: “We really value the contribution of all of our employees in volunteering for great causes and Kate really stepped up to the plate during this crisis.”

As well as helping with vaccinations, Kate was assisting vulnerable people with their shopping and personal needs, as well as cleaning the centre and organising refreshments for staff and visitors.

As a mark of thanks, Kate and her volunteer colleagues were presented with a special community service medal at an awards luncheon hosted by the Lord Mayor of Sevenoaks, Councillor Dr Merilyn Canet.

Kate added: “The medal was a nice surprise, but the real pleasure was just the joy of helping people and making a difference in difficult times. I would urge anyone to take up volunteering for a good cause. It’s the most satisfying experience.”

So, where’s Kate’s medal now? Sitting in pride of place alongside her husband’s own military medals. And richly deserved too.