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Four islanders will all have an extra special reason to celebrate this year - Sue May Little, Sara McIntosh, Tony Allchurch and Chris Upton have all been included in the 2023 New Year's Honours list.
Three have been recognised for their outstanding efforts in the Jersey community, while Mr Upton, who was born in Jersey, has been recognised for his efforts providing support for his pupils in Lancashire in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
Tony Allchurch - British Empire Medal
After leaving Durrell as director of veterinary services back in 2004, Tony Allchurch was looking for a new challenge.
With the help of the late Ed Le Quesne, he first found himself organising activities for Make Poverty History before being introduced to a movement supporting ethical trade – he became Chairman of the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of persuading the community to support the positive aims of alleviating poverty in other parts of the world," he said, adding that the ethos of providing a hand-up rather than a hand-out had been been given additional impetus by awareness that Fairtrade suppliers were at the forefront of struggles to reduce the impact of the planet's carbon footprint."
Pictured: Tony Allchurch has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his work as chairman of the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group.
Describing as "amazing" the phone call he received notifying him of his British Empire Medal, Mr Allchurch wanted to acknowledge the part played by the former Victoria College teacher 18 years ago. "I thank Ed [Le Quesne] for introducing me to it and supporting me, and we still try to keep his memory alive," he said.
In 2010 Sue May Little was diagnosed with a non-malignant tumour requiring a craniotomy. Seeing that there was a lack of support for those suffering with Brain Tumours in Jersey, she decided to found her own charity. Initially known as the Sue May Trust, the charity was re-branded and launched as the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity in May 2013.
Speaking from her home in Wales – to which she moved in 2018 and from where she still runs the charity – she estimates that they have today helped between one and two thousand people over more than a decade of their existence.
Pictured: Sue May Little has been awarded an MBE for establishing the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity.
Mrs May Little said: "The problem with brain tumours is that there are so many different types that affect people in different ways, so we are a bespoke charity supporting many different needs."
Sara McIntosh's family founded Jersey Action Against Rape in 2015 after their daughter Cassidy was raped. Unable to secure justice through criminal proceedings, the family brought a civil case and, using some of the money her daughter later received in settlement, they established a charity to support others looking for support.
Pictured: Sara McIntosh has been awarded an MBE for founding Jersey Action Against Rape.
She said: "In a small community to speak out – when the perpetrator could be a family member or a friend – can be very difficult when you have nowhere to go. Without support, which is where we provide a safe ad independent space, it can be very difficult for survivors."
Acknowledging the commitment of her husband and daughter, her committee and their volunteers, Mrs McIntosh said that the award came completely out of the blue: "I couldn't quite understand what was being said. I was overwhelmed because it really is a team effort."
Chris Upton, who was born and educated in Jersey before moving to the UK and becoming headteacher of Tarleton Community Primary School in Lancashire, led his school community after an eight-year-old pupil became the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017.
The death of Saffie-Rose Roussos had a major impact on the school community, with Mr Upton's leadership helping pupils, parents and staff deal with the after-effects.
Mr Upton said it had taken a while for the news to sink in after he was told about the honour for services to education.He said: "I am immensely honoured and proud to receive it, not only for myself, but for all those connected with our school.
Pictured: Chris Upton, who now lives in Lancashire, has been awarded an OBE for providing support to students effected by the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017.
Mr Upton attended Trinity Primary, Grainville and Hautlieu schools before leaving the Island in 1998 to complete teacher training. The majority of his family, including his parents Jancie and Derek, still live in Jersey.
Main Picture: Sara McIntosh, Sue May Little, Chris Upton and Tony Allchurch.
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