Marie Pearson receives the Order of Mercy
Published by Helen Platt on Mon, 03/08/2026 - 12:26
The Order of Mercy is a Victorian award made every year by the League of Mercy Foundation, which was established in 1899 to build a body of voluntary workers to assist with the maintenance of voluntary hospitals. When the 1948 National Health Act abolished these hospitals, the League was quietly wound up but their Order of Mercy award lives on to recognise voluntary work within areas of health and social care, which includes the sick, injured or disabled, young people at risk, the homeless, the elderly, the dying and those who are impaired in mind.
The League receives many nominations a year from charities and other recognised organisations and the Trustees examine the supporting evidence before choosing 25 outstanding volunteers and inviting them to receive the Badge of the Order of Mercy.
Marie Pearson from Attend member group, the Friends of Oaklands Care Home in Essex, received the award at a ceremony on Friday 3rd July, at the Haberdashers’ Hall, in the City of London. The Awards were presented by The League of Mercy President, The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield Kt DL.
Marie spent much of her working life as a member of the Oaklands care team, and on retirement found that she missed the residents so much that she returned as a volunteer with the Friends. She now spends her time as a central member of the charity’s Dementia Café, supporting people living with dementia and those who care for them. She takes part in fundraising and the upkeep of the gardens, often participating in ‘challenge days’ alongside other volunteers and residents. She is also a befriender and a committee member. At 86, she gives her time freely and with the energy of a lady of half her years. Marie is pictured below alongside her son Eddie, and Catherine Wood, Chair of the Friends of Oaklands Care Home.
