Bishop McLeod Investiture at Buckingham PalacePosted by Administrator on 27/05/2010 22:50:25  A Northamptonshire Bishop has been awarded at Buckingham Palace with an OBE.
Bishop Louis McLeod from Northampton received the OBE for his services to the Southwark Credit Union.
"Being awarded with an OBE for doing something you love is a great achievement. I'm ecstatic," said Bishop McLeod.
A Credit Union is an organisation that helps people borrow money at a low rate.
They particularly help people who are struggling with their finances and those who get in trouble with loan sharks.
"Credit Union is a great tool to help people, but, many didn't know it existed. I came in to try to change that," he said.
In 1988, Bishop McLeod established the Southwark Credit Union Development Agency (SCUDA) a development company set up to help the failing Community Credit Union, and the Council Based Credit Union.
"It was hard work as these Credit Unions were under threat of closing if they didn't become self sufficient, so I had to save them," he said.
He recruited staff, devised the business plans, and publicity material for both unions even helping to create a further three brand new unions.
Just a hobby
The work Bishop McLeod does for Credit Union is a hobby as his full time job is working for The New Testament Church of God in England.
"I am currently the Pastor for the Lee church, completing my work for the Credit Union as a hobby on the side. It does take up a lot of my time but throughout my family has been really supportive," he said.
Bishop McLeod has worked for the Credit Union for over 25 years now, pushing and promoting the work they do to help it reach its full potential.
"I am driven by my passion for Credit Union, I don't do it for the recognition but it is nice to be recognised. I have dedicated a lot of time to the union," he said.
republished from BBC article Friday 15th January 2010
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