Former Chief Executive of EEEA included in Queen's Birthday Honours list
He helped set up the charity in 2000 and transform it in a non-stop service over 20 years later
The founder and former CEO of the East Anglian Air Ambulance has been included on the Queen's birthday honours list.
Patrick Peale, who retired from the charity last June is to be given an MBE for services to emergency care in the East- namely growing them into a non-stop service in the past 20 plus years.
"We absolutely had no idea what it could possibly become like"
But he told us that he can't take all the credit for the organisation's transformation:
"I can honestly say that when we started the charity- we absolutely had no idea what it could possibly become like. The only reason it's been able to grow and develop in the way it has, is because we have had and continue to have such fantastic support from people in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire".
"That growth has been entirely down to the generosity and it's given us the opportunity to keep pushing the charity forward and that's not going to stop because sadly people will continue to suffer trauma and medical emergencies and they will continue to need the services of these absolutely outstanding people".
"I think I probably just stayed sitting down for about 10 to 15 minutes"
He re-called the moment he found out about the news and told us that it's yet to truly sink in:
"You look at it and think, 'I wonder if I should I open it?' Then I opened it, read the first line then had to sit-down. Then I read it again, and then I read it again. I think I probably just stayed sitting down for about 10 to 15 minutes just letting the whole thing sink in. It was such an enormous surprise and it just made me feel gob-smacked".
"I'm still trying to get used to the idea of it all. It's a huge honour and I think my most overriding feeling is that I'm just so humbled that my friends, colleagues and peers decided that I should be nominated for this award".
Others being awarded with an MBE in Suffolk:
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, who's 42 years old and from Newmarket.
He's being awarded for services to Optometry
● He demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and through his personal initiative which safeguarded the optical profession and public they serve.
● He facilitated solutions to nationwide concerns, including issues related to PPE and electronic access to patient records.
● He developed a new clinical framework for the English urgent eye care service, taking the pressure off hospital eye services.
● He engaged with members of the optometric profession, many of them anxious about the impact of Covid-19, dealing with their anxieties sympathetically and professionalism.
● He gave tireless support to thousands of members of the optometric profession through clear guidance and advice by email and phone, or via regular ethical scenarios, blogs, videos, podcasts and social media posts.
● In recent years this has extended to dealing with enquiries from the public through patient videos explaining eye conditions and through appearances in the media.
Faith Rutterford, who's 80 years old and from Bury St Edmunds
she's been awarded for Public Service
● She has worked at RAF Mildenhall since 27 April 1959, initially as a Clerical Assistant in the Air Installations Office.
● Her unique service spans the entire period through which RAF Mildenhall has been under the sole operational control of the US Air Forces in Europe.
● Having dedicated herself to the role of infrastructure support for 63 years so far, she has been Secretary to the Commander of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron since 1959.
● The current incumbent describes her as the glue that binds the Squadron together.
● It's the administrative support that she has provided that's first helped to transform RAF Mildenhall from one of many small airfields, into a central transportation hub for US Forces and a Cold-War strategic reconnaissance base.
● Her skilful synchronisation of the command team has contributed to the unit winning numerous major Command-level accolades in recent years, including two US Air Force-level outstanding achievement awards.
Those being given an BEM in Suffolk:
Joanne Ogden-King, who's 51 years old from Leiston
She's being awarded for services to the community in Suffolk
● She is a yoga teacher who has taught classes in the Suffolk area for over two decades.
● Prior to the COVID pandemic, she has continuously worked with schools and nurseries offering yoga classes as an extracurricular activity.
● During Covid lockdowns she provided dedicated 1-1 support for the most at-need children through Zoom yoga classes on a weekly basis.
● Her ability to develop children’s confidence and self-belief through a programme of tailored and varied yoga activities has been clearly evident.
● Her interventions have helped children deal with the pressures of modern life, have provided an outlet for frustrations, and worries and have been a steady constant in a world of uncertainty over the last 18 months.
Patrick Church, who's 75 years old and from Bury St Edmunds
He's being awarded for services to the community in Suffolk
● He has arranged Theatre, Opera, Ballet and Orchestral experiences which otherwise would not be so easily and cheaply available to local theatre-loving residents.
● He has offered special screenings for Families; Parents and Babies; Young Adults; Vulnerable Children and Young People in support of the national and Suffolk Max Card project; Senior Citizens; Dementia Friendly screenings, together with their carers; - always catering for their individual special needs.
● He has ensured that there are special facilities and excellent viewing positions provided for all those with mobility issues.
● During Lockdown, a dilapidated, 100 year old wall mural was uncovered in a demolished wall cavity. It was rescued and carefully restored personally by him.
● He has set up an efriending Telephone Service, ‘Chat with Pat’, still reaching out to those regulars for whom the cinema provides a warm, welcoming haven and who are suffering loneliness and anxiety at this time.
Anthony Lambert Tyrrell Brown, who's 67 years old and from Beccles
He's being awarded for services to Public Libraries
● He has became involved in a project to save Suffolk’s libraries, joining the first Board elected by and from the members. He then provided expert and inspiring leadership to take the organisation through major operational, financial and cultural challenges, as well as a major change management project.
● He has fostered confidence among a workforce that was bruised by a period of intense uncertainty and turbulence, seeing them taking their place on the national stage as a trailblazer for good practice and innovative approaches.