Kim Dal, from Fetcham, known throughout his community as ‘Mr Kim’, is a Boots pharmacist who goes significantly over and above for his customers. His care for patients is exceptional with many patients commenting on his kindness and warmth. Now after seven years, he has been recognised with a national honour The British Citizen Award.

In an area with more complex elderly patients than average, his personal knowledge of the patients, professional skills and human kindness shines through. Kim was nominated for the award by one of the local GPs.

In the nomination form, the GP says: “Mr Kim knows his patients well, asks about their families, delivers medicines in his own time to housebound patients and is patient and thorough in explanations and advice. He has positively impacted his community, giving each of this patients a service to the highest standards. There is a great respect, gratitude and confidence and Kim is held in very high regard within the local community. 

“In a time when prescriptions are renewed electronically and some pharmacies offer a ‘direct to you’ service, it is increasingly rare to witness old-fashioned, but very well delivered, customer service.”

The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January 2015, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society. BCAs are awarded twice annually, and recognise ‘everyday’ people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.

Kimis one of 29 medalists who were honoured at a prestigious ceremony at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients have selflessly undertaken various activities in support of a number of worthy causes. Each received a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medalists have also been invited to use the initials BCA after their name.

Speaking about his nomination, Kim said: “I am extremely honoured to be receiving such an important award. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition received from my nominator and Fetcham residents for my pharmacist’s work at the front line of healthcare in the community”.

Andrew Caplan, Retail and Pharmacy Operations Director at Boots, added: “Colleagues like Kim are at the heart of our business, and make me feel incredibly proud of the work that we do every day in our local communities. Kim is an outstanding pharmacist who will always make care for his patients his first priority, and it’s brilliant to see his hard work being recognized in the British Citizen Awards.”

The awards are sponsored by the world’s largest optical retailer, Specsavers; one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, Places for People; and worldwide leader in IT and networking,Cisco. Each had representatives at the assessment day and presented the awards in July, alongside TV star host, Michael Underwood who stated: “Having presented the very first British Citizen Awards, it’s a real honour and privilege to be invited back. I am looking forward to learning more about the incredible people being recognised for their contribution to society”.