A NUMBER of Cheshire residents have been recognised for their exceptional efforts in the first New Year Honours list under King Charles III.

The honours system recognises people who have ‘made achievements in public life’ and ‘committed themselves to serving and helping Britain’.

A group of 10 independent honours committees, each covering a specialist subject area such as sport or health, consider nominations.

The recommendations of these groups of independent experts and senior civil servants are passed on to the Prime Minister, and ultimately The King for approval.

The list of Mid Cheshire recipients:

Brian Phillips

The 76-year-old, from Gorstage, has received an MBE for services to to children and young people with disabilities.

Brian has acted as a founding trustee of the Petty Pool Trust since its creation 40 years ago.

The trust helps around 120 children with special educational needs (SEN) and offers education and skills training to prepare them for possible employment and independent living.

Since his retirement, he has remained a trustee of the charity and a director of the limited company.

Brian stepped in to help when the trust faced financial difficulties and drew up business plans to secure further funding.

He has employed a student with (SEN), supporting him through difficult times, building close links with his family and ensuring they were invited to all social functions including Christmas parties, free of any cost.

Brian and his team were responsible for identifying, negotiating, purchasing and securing funding for the current site and used his local business connections to persuade a building contractor to complete the work for free.

Knutsford Guardian: Martin Jones, Home Instead CEO, left, receives Queen's Award from then Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs in 2017Martin Jones, Home Instead CEO, left, receives Queen's Award from then Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs in 2017 (Image: Home Instead)

Martin Jones

The CEO of care company Home Instead UK Ltd has received an MBE for services to old people.

In his role, the 54-year-old, of Hartford, has led his team to deliver a pioneering companionship-based home care service which has helped to change the face of ageing in the UK.

Due to this innovative approach, the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2016 and secured more ‘outstanding’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission than any other adult social care provider.

Through his voluntary work, Martin was invited to become a trustee of The Silver Line, later becoming treasurer, and was instrumental in securing their merger with Age UK in 2019. He became chairman of The Silver Line in 2020.

During the pandemic he was directly involved in helping to direct Age UK’s active response to the crisis and steering the development of their operations.

Under Martin's leadership, Home Instead implemented dementia workshops, which are delivered free of charge to businesses, community groups, and individuals who are affected by dementia, with more than 40,000 people across the UK receiving these sessions, free of charge.

Under his stewardship, the business has put public education campaigns in place and partnered with organisations to address issues that can negatively affect the lives of older people.

Through his work as a non-executive on the UK Healthcare Association board, Martin has helped sector bodies and the Government navigate their way through the pandemic, advising on a range of tactical solutions and helping to develop longer-term solutions.

Knutsford Guardian: Charlotte Gilley receiving a Shining Star award from Tatton MP Esther McVey in 2021Charlotte Gilley receiving a Shining Star award from Tatton MP Esther McVey in 2021 (Image: Esther McVey)

Charlotte Gilley

The 47-year-old founder, trustee and chairwoman of the Maverick Stars Trust has been awarded an MBE for services to boxing.

Charlotte, of Alderley Edge, set up the charity using her own funds - with a mission to help provide opportunities for young people and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups.

She has helped coaches and volunteers set up programmes and initiatives such as Sting Like a Bee, a programme which helps tackle anti-social behaviour and knife crime by providing young people with free boxing training.

Another of Charlotte's programmes is Fit and Fed, where young people can train and eat for free at the boxing gyms. Originally operational during the school holidays, due to its success it has been extended beyond the school holidays, and includes many families with no connection to their local boxing clubs.

Operation Warrior offers free boxing sessions and other opportunities to Armed Forces veterans reintegrating back into civilian life.

Charlotte uses her time and knowledge to educate boxing club volunteers, helping them grow and become sustainable by understanding how they can access funding streams.

She has been instrumental in establishing new boxing clubs in areas in need of community hubs.

Knutsford Guardian: Dee and Chris Drake with Oscar the dogDee and Chris Drake with Oscar the dog (Image: Archant)

Dee Drake

The 50-year-old, of Twemlow Green, founded The Toy Appeal charity in 2012 with the the help of her husband Chris.

Dee has now been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for charitable services to disadvantaged children.

Since the charity was founded more than 50,000 sacks of toys have been delivered to children who would otherwise receive nothing.

Working on a voluntary basis, Dee also funded many of the toys herself when the appeal first started.

Each sack contains a main present, two books, a piece of sports equipment, a board game, a craft activity, stocking fillers and a cuddly toy.

The appeal started in the inner schools of Manchester but now covers the whole of the north west.

Dee works full time but campaigns tirelessly throughout the year for funding.

In 2017 she was nominated for Cheshire Woman of the Year, and in the same year she won the Community Award at the 25th Inspiring Women Awards.

Patricia Johnson

The locality officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council has been awarded a BEM for for services to local government and to the community in Winsford.

Simon Read

Pickmere Parish Council chairman and teacher Simon has been awarded a BEM for services to the Pickmere community.

Knutsford Guardian: Liverpool FC defender Andy RobertsonLiverpool FC defender Andy Robertson (Image: PA)

Andrew Robertson

Liverpool's 28-year-old Scottish defender, who lives in Wilmslow, has been awarded an MBE for services to football, charity and young people.