Meet the heroes in the South East named in the New Years Honours list
Medical staff, charity volunteers and armed forces personnel are just some of those from across the south and south east who've been named in this year's New Years Honours list.
This years list, chosen by the government and approved by HM The Queen, includes many who've worked during the coronavirus pandemic to help others in their local communities.
The Prime Minister said the awards are a "welcome reminder of the strength of human spirit, and of what can be achieved through courage and compassion."
“As we begin a new year and continue to come together to fight this virus, may their service and stories be an inspiration to us all."
MBE is a "great surprise" for 106-year-old fundraiser
A 106-year-old Anne Baker, who lives in Salisbury, Wiltshire, has earned an MBE for her work with the NSPCC, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to the coronavirus, Mrs Baker had held annual coffee mornings for the charity in the city, but was required to shield when the virus arrived.
She took her fundraising online instead - raising £4,000, more than twice as much as she would from a regular coffee morning.
Mrs Baker said it was a “great surprise and a great honour” to be made MBE.
“I’ve just been helping the NSPCC for about 50 years – I always have the party in my garden which normally makes about £1,000 a year, which is lovely,” she said.
“I love the NSPCC because they really look after families and I think that is so important, especially nowadays when we are going through such difficult times.
“This last year the NSPCC has worked wonders and I’m really grateful to them.”
She is closely followed by 104-year-old Ruth Saunders, from Newbury in Berkshire, who gets an MBE for walking a marathon to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
Wildlife Ranger Mark Warn
Wildlife Ranger Mark Warn is in charge of a small team that looks after Wareham Forset.
It's a job he's been dedicated to for the past 30 years, preserving and maintaining the rare lowland heath which covers much of the Purbecks in Dorset.
Mark has been awarded a British Medal Empire.
It comes after a fire in 2020, which saw thousands of acres of heathland destroyed, and many rare species perished in the flames.
Mark has been overseeing the recovery, and it's partly for this labour of love that he's been awarded the BEM.
"I just felt that I'm doing a job that I'm passionate about, love, it's a vocation rather than a job. I consider it the best job in the world to be frank. So to be honoured for it seemed a bit much really."
ITV News Meridian's Richard Slee has been talking to Wildlife Ranger Mark Warn, along with others in the South recognised for bringing some light in a year full of challenges
Naval nurse "couldn't believe" he was named in honours list
Chief Petty Officer Naval Nurse Andrew Cooper has been praised for his efforts testing hundreds of sailors on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, as well as for his work in an NHS hospital’s emergency department.
Mr Cooper, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, becomes an Associate of the Royal Red Cross.
The 36-year-old said: “I couldn’t believe it at first. It will be exciting when I can let people know, having to hold off since finding out has been tough.
“I cannot wait to tell them.”
Mr Cooper has played a pivotal role in the fight against coronavirus, first during his time on HMS Queen Elizabeth in April.
With the aircraft carrier due to deploy for Fleet Operational Sea Training, he had to come up with a system to test all 800 of her sailors – a feat he then repeated in September ahead of F-35 Lightning jets trials on the ship.
Away from HMS Queen Elizabeth, he showed his expertise and leadership in the emergency department of Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, leading NHS and military colleagues in the midst of the Covid pandemic.
He also helped colleagues on working in full personal protective equipment (PPE) and led the redesign of the hospital’s emergency department.
Joe Garcia, Director of Operations, South East Coast Ambulance Service
Joe Garcia has been helping people as a member of the Ambulance service for over 3 decades.
As well as guiding SECAmb through one of the the toughest years in its history, Joe has worked hard to raised standards and he says the trust is now going from strength to strength.
That is why he is receiving an MBE for services to Emergency Response.
ITV News Meridian's Charlotte Wilkins reports on some of those in Kent and Sussex who have made the list
Award 'recognises incredible team' says mathematician
Among others to be named on the list is Dr Philippa Spencer, who's been awarded an OBE for her work at the defence laboratory at Porton Down.
Dr Spencer, a mathematician, has applied data science to prevent the loss of life through exposure to COVID-19, Novichok and Ebola, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) said.
Dr Spencer said she was "overwhelmed" to find out about her OBE, adding that the award "recognises an incredible team of people who provide vital support to so many collective efforts. I am beyond happy to have been nominated.”
Craig David
Among the celebrities to be named on the list, Southampton born star Craig David has been made an MBE after staging a career comeback.
The singer and rapper, 39, who has been named in the New Year Honours for services to music, found overnight fame with the release of his debut album Born To Do It in 2000.
The record entered at number one to become the fastest-selling debut by a British male solo act to date.
Visit the government website to see the full list of New Years Honours.