Three Isle of Wight residents have been honoured in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours list 2024.

The King’s Birthday Honours awards celebrate the contribution of well-known personalities, government employees and ordinary people who have served their community.

Dr Philip Lewis MBE

Dr Philip Lewis MBE (Image: Contributions)

Philip Lewis has been honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the detection of oral cancer and his role as the former president of the Mouth Cancer Foundation.

A qualified dentist since 1977, Philip has been involved in the early detection of mouth cancer since the 1990s and was one of the first people to begin educating the public and health professionals.

Philip is a dentist with long experience, and currently practices at Avenue Road Dental Practice in Freshwater

Coming to the attention of the Mouth Cancer Foundation in 2013, Philip served as an ambassador before being elected president, serving his three-year term up until last year.

Philip told the County Press: I am absolutely delighted and very honoured. It is wonderful to feel recognised and appreciated, and I would like to thank the committee that made this decision.”

Stephen Double BEM

Stephen Double BEM (Image: Contributions)

Stephen Double has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in Ryde.

He developed and initiated Project Geranium in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is an initiative to provide the elderly with plants to care for in their gardens.

With the support of Age UK and the High Sheriff, over 500 plants were delivered.

Stephen also set up a postcard system and delivered via retail distributors to encourage those isolated and vulnerable to contact family and friends.

He personally delivered over 5,000 cards.

Stephen said: “I am grateful to receive the award. I never envisaged recognition and so I process the news on behalf of people who made a difference by helping others to build resilience in their own local communities.”

Hazel Britton BEM

Hazel Britton BEM and her husband Richard (Image: West Wight Sports and Community Centre)

Hazel Britton was also honoured with a BEM for services to the community on the Island, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She helped coordinate the West Wight Support Hub, overseeing the delivery of prescriptions and shopping, phoning people who were lonely and supporting anyone who needed support.

Hazel said: “It is absolutely amazing, and I have to say, I was just one of the team. The thanks really needs to go to the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, who offered their premises so we could run the hub, which was just amazing.

“There were so many volunteers, I’ve lost count really – probably hundreds! I was just in the right place at the right time.

“It was the West Wight community coming together.

“I just happened to be there, and it wasn’t just one person. It could never have just been one person.”

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