A film composer has been honoured by the Royal Society of Arts.
Birkby-based Benson Taylor has been granted a fellowship into the esteemed society for his unrelenting voluntary work.
Benson, 31, was rewarded for setting up, supporting or developing charities both at home and abroad such as homeless charity Emmaus Bradford, where he is a trustee and as a goodwill ambassador the Cambodian Children’s Trust.
Even more impressively, he has put in the innumerable volunteering hours while working as an internationally successful composer, who has worked on hit series such as Orange is the New Black and The Big Bang Theory. He is currently creating the soundtrack for London Fields, a film based on the book by Martin Amis that stars Johnny Depp.
Benson, formerly of Bradford, moved to Huddersfield after beginning his career in LA, has joined an impressive list of fellows of the society that includes the likes of Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Nelson Mandela and currently, Stephen Hawking.
A lifelong position, each fellow is tasked continuing to drive their innovative projects that are helping change the world for the better.
Benson, who began volunteering when he was only 23, said: “To receive the title is just crazy and it’s really humbling to be recognised by the society and be added to a list of such distinguished people.
“I do a lot of charity work because due to the nature of my job I’m not working all year around so wanted to put my time to good use.
“Helping people through charities has always interested me, especially those connected to poverty and the ones I work with do incredible work every day to alleviate this.
“I became one of the founder members of Emmaus in Bradford because I find it terrible in this day and age that people have to sleep on the streets and help people settle back into a new home after being homeless.
“From there I got involved with the Cambodian Children’s Trust after I visited the country and witnessed the poverty there.
“My aim as a fellow in the Royal Society is to go to London and create contacts through it who can help me get more funding and opportunities for these charities and to keep on tackling these social issues.
“I know there are a lot of people in the House of Lords who are also fellows, for example.”
At the same time that he is embarking upon his new role this year, he will be busy providing the final touches to the film score.
Benson said: “I’m lucky to be able to work at my own studio in Huddersfield and it is hoped that the film will be released in cinemas later this year.”
