PURFLEET resident Miss Anne White has been recognised in the New Year's Honours List and will receive an MBE.

Miss White is the volunteer director chair of Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions CIC and she received the award "For services to people with impairments".

News of the award, made public this evening (Friday, 29 December, has prompted tributes to her work for the borough community.

Miss White was self-deprecating about the honour and she says: "This was a shock. I couldn't fathom who thought me worthy of such an honour.

"I feel that this award is not about me, I am a self-advocate for disabled people. It is important to ensure that other people with impairments know how to use the right words to get noticed.

"My challenge is that issues happen to me, but I use my solutions to help others. I like it when other people gain from my experience.

"When I see them being helped it feels out of this world to me.

"It's really important that issues are coming from the people themselves rather than me.

"Disabled people have rights and the more 'Plain English' there is, the better I like it.

"I am so proud to have been part of a team that resulted in the building of the Beehive in Grays to house Thurrock's Independent Living Centre fully accessible building.

"I will never stop challenging what needs to improve in the world for disabled people as it's still not right."

Neil Woodbridge, CEO of Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions, said: "We are so proud of Anne.

"She really represents the people of Thurrock well.

"Her tenacity and sheer determination shine a powerful light into many corners of Thurrock and the world is a much better place because of her.

"She is a true inspiration and someone we are all glad to work with."

Thurrock Council's opposition leader, Labour Cllr John Kent, added his tribute, saying: "I have known Ann for 35 years. She is a tremendous advocate for the rights of disadvantaged people and has achieved so much.

"Naturally, she will play down the award, saying it's about others, not herself, but for once I will disagree with her. This is richly deserved." 

Moses Olawole Ayoola BEM

GRAYS resident Moses Olawole Ayoola, director of estates and facilities at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Leadership in the NHS.