PM gives award to Blackpool and Fleetwood LGBT charity founders

Luke and John Conway set up ‘LGBT Charity UK’ from their own savings and have now opened five charity shops across the Fylde coast.

As well as selling clothes from the shops, the charity itself offers a safe haven for people who identify as LGBTQ+, and to help serve as a visible, central source of support on a range of issues, such as homelessness and mental health.

The award for Luke and John coincides with the start of LGBT History Month, celebrating gay, lesbian and transgender history and the continued contributions that people who are LGBTQ+ make to society.

The pair have been told a certificate will be arrived within the next few days.

Luke, 38, and John, 55, who live on Lord Street in Fleetwood, admit they were surprised by the award but they are delighted that their work has received recognition.

Luke said: "To be honest, we thought it was a wind up at first, but it turns out to be genuine.

"We are delighted that we have been put forward for this award. It just shows how much hard work we have been doing for the LGBT community.

"Despite the lockdown, we are still working for the charity and have just found a flat for a a young lad who was in a bad way and had nowhere to go.

"We have also just helped a straight couple who were having serious problems with their landlord.

"The award may be for John and me but we have 18 volunteers helping us out and without them we just wouldn't be able to do what we do."

The charity was founded a year ago when Luke and John poured £8,000 of their savings into the venture in the hope of supporting those in need.

Luke added: "We have a team of voluntary counsellors helping us but we are also training as counsellors ourselves so we can help out too."

In a personal letter to Luke and John, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "Thank you for all that you do through ‘LGBT Charity UK’ to provide a safe haven of support and advice for the LGBT community.

"From advice for those at risk of homelessness, to support for victims of domestic abuse, and conversations around mental health, you have done so much to help others."

Luke and John are the 1589th and 1590th recipients of the Prime Minister’s UK daily Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise outstanding individuals making a difference where they live.

Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements, including hundreds of volunteers who have been recognised for how they have served their communities through the coronavirus pandemic.

Luke and John have set up charity shops on Talbot Road, Waterloo Road in Blackpool and on Lord Street in Fleetwood, as well as a new bistro, The Fisherman's Rest, further along Lord Street.

They are also close to opening a shop in Maltby, near Rotherham in Yorkshire, where they have links.

domestic abuse, the charity itself provides a range of resources.