Prime Minister Theresa May has awarded a volunteer from Bristol for his work raising around half a million pounds for good causes.

Darren Sims, from Bristol, has raised almost £500,000 over 10 years by performing charitable concerts across the UK. Darren’s work has benefitted many good causes, but he has devoted particular attention to children’s charities. Every year since 2007,he has performed charity concerts at major venues including the Colston Hall, Weston Pier, and the Park Lane Hilton. Over the course of a decade, Darren has inspired a team of more than 20 to raise money alongside him, whilst over 200 people have credited Darren with inspiring their own volunteering.

Darren is the latest recipient of the Points of Light award which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Darren, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

“Through the numerous charitable concerts you have organised over the past decade, you have raised £500,000 for a range of excellent causes. You should be proud of how your extraordinary fundraising has also inspired hundreds of other people to undertake volunteering of their own.”

Darren is the 780th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 5,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and both President George H.W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.

Darren said:

“I am absolutely thrilled and very honoured to receive this award, but I could not do what I do without the support of hundreds of other volunteers that help me organise and run the “Daz’s Rock 4 Charity” events, so this award is also for this team that support me in everything that I do”.