The Soup Kitchen founder, Tony, awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace

In 2018 Tony was nominated by the British Ambassador in Beijing, Dame Barbara Woodward, to receive an MBE in the 2018 Queens Birthday Honours list, for services to the homeless and underprivileged in China. Taken by surprise, initially he asked if I could take some time to consider whether to accept it.

After giving it careful consideration he eventually reasoned that this MBE was in recognition for the organisation itself and a reward to everybody associated with the Yellow River Soup Kitchen for all of their immense efforts. Hence, the following day he contacted the Ambassador and informed her that he would be honoured to accept the award.

The ceremony was at Buckingham Palace in London on 17th October 2018. Princess Anne conducted the investiture cermony and presented Tony with the MBE. Just as meaningful to him was that seven of the Soup Kitchen managers decided to travel to the UK to receive it together as a collective. As was the case during any of the Soup Kitchen projects, the managers took time off work, paid for their own flights and all of their travel expenses for the duration of the visit.

We were so proud to receive the MBE on behalf of the Yellow River Soup Kitchen and every single person that had contributed over the previous 13 years.

Congratulations to one and all.