Chair of Z Zurich Foundation & Parkinson’s UK has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Business and to Charity

Working for the Z Zurich Foundation (the Foundation) is a privilege, not only because our work has purpose, but also thanks to the remarkable people we work alongside. The Chair of the Z Zurich Foundation, Gary Shaughnessy, is one of the people who lead by example. ?

For many years now, Gary has been involved in community support activities, truly going above and beyond to raise awareness and act on the causes he cares about. He cycled thousands of kilometres crossing several countries, ran dozens of marathon races, rowed and even did Wing Walks for charity! In 2021, he broke a world record for the longest distance run three-legged! Gary’s leadership has encouraged hundreds of people over the years to join him in his different challenges, inspired by his willingness and actions to raise awareness and funds for causes close to his heart and support communities around him.

Over the weekend, Gary has been awarded special recognition, attesting to his leadership and involvement in supporting those around him. In fact, Gary has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to business and to charity from His Majesty the King, following a recommendation from the office of the UK’s Prime Minister.??

“This came completely out of the blue,” says Gary, “And I'm delighted, but it reflects the work of many, many more people than just me, frankly.”?

We sat down with Gary to discuss this amazing development with him.?

Can you tell us a bit more about this recognition? what is it about exactly?

This recognition acknowledges people who have contributed to society in the UK in a significant way over a period of time. This might reflect services to business, sport, the Arts, the Community, or a number of other areas.?

According to the?Honours System of the United Kingdom, the CBE is presented to people who played “A prominent national role of a lesser degree, a conspicuous leading role in regional affairs through achievement or service to the community, or a highly distinguished, innovative contribution in his or her area of activity.”

At the Z Zurich Foundation, we give Community Hero Awards to recognize people who go above and beyond for their communities. If we do a parallel, this recognition is a Community Hero Award from His Majesty the King of your country. What does it mean for you to receive such recognition?

It is a real honour. It's something extraordinary and not many people get recognized in this way. What I particularly like about it is to get the award, someone has to nominate you. Someone or several people have to sit down and explain what they think you have done and why that is relevant. And then it goes through quite a process. It’s vetted, it's checked. There's a number of hoops you have to jump through. It is difficult to explain, but it's something that I think is incredibly special. I'm delighted.?

Why do you think you made it to the list??

I think the Z Zurich Foundation does some wonderful things and it is genuinely a privilege to be involved in the Foundation and in other community activities, like those driven by the Zurich Community Trust in the U.K. I'm really proud of some of the things that we've done. My name may be the figurehead on some of the work we do, but Zurich people working with inspirational partners across the world are making a real and lasting difference - creating a brighter future for so many.

I also love doing the challenges that I take on - they allow me to work on my physical and mental health, raise awareness and support. Once again, though, it's a team game - the Foundation helps amplify my voice and so many people make the challenges possible.?

The same applies to Parkinson's U.K.. I've had the opportunity to get a message across - a message of hope, of control for those with the condition and of dignity, but the message only gets heard because of the work of so many inspirational people in the Charity and in the community.

So, these organizations have given you a platform and support to use your voice to raise awareness. Is it more than that, though?

That's certainly true, - it goes beyond having a platform. It's a virtuous circle. People get engaged in activities across the world and each time someone does something, it reinforces the fact that we can make a real difference in the societies we live and work in. The positive decision to help those less fortunate than ourselves creates a huge amount of positive energy. One of the volunteers who participates in a food kitchen the Zurich Community Trust support in Newcastle recently made the point that she gets so much more out of giving than you put in. I think that's absolutely true. You get a platform to share your message, but you also get that sense of being able to do something that is really meaningful and lasting.

What message would you like this recognition to convey?

While I was already involved in different community activities for?many years, most of what I do started back from when my wife said to me ‘focus on what you can do.’ It stuck with me. Focus on what you can do and think about what really matters to you as an individual. My overall message is don't wait. Do it now. Take the opportunities and you will not regret it.

Be a positive voice in your local community and help people because you will get more out of it than you'll put in; no matter how much you put in and you will make a difference.

What role do you think this kind of recognition can play?

It’s a wonderful award and it gives credibility and endorsement to the fights and the causes I’m supporting. It reinforces that the work of the Z Zurich Foundation and Parkinson’s UK are important and bring value to society and communities. I am really proud of that.?That said, it is what we actually do that matters. Awards are great but actions are greater.?

So, what is next now?

Every challenge I have taken on has reaffirmed my faith in humans and human nature. It's amazing how friends, family, and colleagues rally around. You see humans at their worst when you see war, people being displaced ,people being treated with prejudice. But, through the Foundation and Parkinson's U.K., I also see people at their best. The silent majority quietly care and quietly share. Climate resilience, mental well-being, social equity and humanitarian causes all have something in common - individual actions matter and if enough people act that can achieve a wave of change that's lasting and powerful.

I have just started a cycle ride from Brighton, England, down to Barcelona, Spain. There is be nine people who have Parkinson's in that ride, who are dealing with different challenges. By participating they are also getting across the message to other people with Parkinson's. As an individual, you can get a message across, but as a group you can get a message across times ten. So, I’m looking at how do I grow the message rather than just do more. How do I make it more impactful? While scale matters it’s all about the individual people in the end and gestures of help We have raised a lot of money with the cycle from Liverpool, England, to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Not everyone can afford big donations, but seeing all the gestures and the different kinds of support we received was so powerful.

Before we close this interview, is there anything you want to add?

I want to say thank you to all the people who have supported me particularly over the last eight years. I realize how inspirational things I have done have been and that's great. But I don't know whether people realize how appreciative I am of the support that I've been given, from donations to my fundraising, to messages and help to organize the different activities. People have been superb, and I really do appreciate it. It matters a lot actually. Thank you to everyone involved. Thank you to the Z Zurich Foundation and Parkinson’s UK teams. Again, this award recognizes that what we do is important. It also reinforces that what we have been able to achieve is recognized and matters. This is important too.

More info on?Gary's 2023 challenges here.