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Ward sister Alison Finch and UCLH chairman Peter Dixon |
Hospital honours trio lead way to the Palace!
UCLH staff named alongside loyal school nurse in the Queen’s New Year list
NURSERY nurse who has been looking after children at a Covent Garden primary school for 25 years is among a host of people from Westminster who made it onto the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Carol Leonard, 58, has been a fixture at St Clement Danes Primary School in Dury Lane since 1984, always available to tend to nose bleeds, grazed knees and dreaded head lice infestations. She has been awarded an MBE for services to education.
Ms Leonard told the West End Extra she was thrilled her work had been recognised.
“I am chuffed to bits that I’m able to receive such an award for doing something that gives me so much joy alongside such wonderful children,” she said.
“It still feels like I just started. Now I’ve even got parents sending their kids to nursery that I used to look after. It’s very scary.
“The fact that I was nominated for this by the parents of the children that I have been blessed to work with and care makes this award even more precious – I am truly honoured.”
Ms Leonard first started work at Burdette Coutts primary school in Westminster and also devotes much of her free time to children, serving as group scout leader of the 75th Lambeth scout group for 24 years.
Leslie “Desi” Dillingham, the president of the British Horse Society and long-term Maida Vale resident, has also been awarded an MBE.
Ms Dillingham, 60, came to London from Canada 30 years ago and has lived in Maida Vale for more than 20 of them. She started teaching horse riding in Hyde Park and Kensington Park Gardens before going on to work her way up the ranks of the society and becoming the founder and chairwoman of British Dressage.
She said she was “shocked but delighted” with the award for voluntary services to equestrian sport.
“I must say it never occurred to me,” said Ms Dillingham. “I’m shocked, especially because I’m a Canadian, although I should add I do have a British passport!
“I love every day I work with horses, whether it’s getting youngsters involved, or promoting better care and safety for them. London has got busier over the years, but people do still ride horses here and I hope it continues this way.”
A nurse, a microbiologist and a senior boss at University College London Hospital have also been recognised. Chariman Peter Dixon, ward sister Alison Finch and Dr Geoff Ridgway have booked a date together at the palace.
Sir Peter was made a knight for work in the affordable housing sector, following his role as chairman of the Housing Corporation.
Sir Peter, who has been chairman at UCLH since 2001 and was appointed chairman of the Housing Corporation in 2003, said: “Health and housing go hand in hand and for the last five years I’ve considered them to be two components of one job. You nearly always find if someone is in rotten housing, they have rotten health.”
Ms Finch, a ward sister in the haematology department and acting senior nurse in children and young people’s cancer services, received an MBE for services to healthcare.
“I never expected it,” she said. “I do work hard, I try my best, but I am surrounded by colleagues who also work very hard and give way over 100 per cent commitment so it was very humbling to receive the honour. I am quietly delighted, though!”
UCLH microbiologist Dr Ridgway, who has retired following 32 years as a consultant, was awarded an OBE.
“It was my first post – and became my life,” he said. “I particularly enjoyed a good working relationship with the clinical staff. UCLH pioneered microbiology as a clinical-based science rather than a lab-based science.”
Other people in Westminster who were honoured include the recently retired Receiver General of Westminster Abbey, Major General David Burden, who received a CVO.
Fashion designer Anya Hinmarch, who sealed her fame with her “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” line of handbags, was awarded an MBE for services to fashion, and Olympic cycling champion Bradley Wiggins, who grew up in Maida Vale, was awarded a CBE for services to sport.
Director of the Wallace Collection Rosalind Savill, from Marylebone, has been made a Dame.
David Alan Pease and William Metcalf also received MBEs for services to literature and homeless people respectively. |
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