New Years Honours: Devon couple who founded charity for children with cancer receive BEMs

  • Sam Blackledge reports on the New Year Honours list

A Devon couple who founded a charity for children with cancer have been named on the New Year Honours list.

Kenneth and Sarah White, from Torrington, started 'Supershoes' in 2013, enlisting artists to design footwear for unwell youngsters.

Now 11 years on and they've each received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for their work.

Kenneth and Sarah said they are surprised and honoured to be named on the list. Credit: ITV News

Kenneth said he was amazed to be told the news.

He said: "I thought it was a spoof phone call, somebody rang and said 'Had we had the letter?' And I said 'No, I've not seen the letter.'

"We're humbled, somewhat shocked and surprised. Honoured to be honoured, if that's the right word."Sarah added: "We've met the most incredible people on this journey of Supershoes. From the brave children that are having this treatment and taking it in their stride, to their parents, and having this massive team of artists and volunteers getting involved, it's like everyone deserves an award. So we're definitely accepting this award on behalf of all those people."

Lynne Hookings has spent many years promoting tourism in Torbay. Credit: ITV News

Elsewhere in the region, Lynne Hookings, from Torquay, will receive a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her many years in the tourism industry and volunteering with Torbay Hospital League of Friends.She said: "It was a big shock.

"I don't know who nominated me. It was absolutely amazing because I had just broken my hip, and the letter awarding me the MBE was absolutely fabulous.

"We've done amazing things, we've given over £22 million to the hospital. We're desperately short of money in the health service and we like to help."

Rower Helen Glover has also been named on the New Year Honours list, Credit: PA Images

Cornish double Olympic champion Helen Glover has been awarded an OBE.

The Penzance rower won gold in London and Rio before scooping silver in the Paris Games this summer.

She became the first British mum-of-three to win an Olympic medal and is being recognised for her services to rowing.

Looe Lifeboat Station manager David Haines has been awarded a BEM for his services to marine safety.

He joined the RNLI in 1992, working on the boats in Looe until he was 45 and as operations manager for the last 20 years.