Twins on honours list say their mum inspired them

A twin awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) alongside his brother said they had both been inspired to help others by their mother.

Ryan Appleton, 37, from Leavenheath, Suffolk, a community first responder with the East of England Ambulance Service, was one of several people in the county named in the King's New Year Honours.

He was given a BEM for his services to the community alongside his twin brother, Dean, who is from Colchester in Essex.

Mr Appleton said it had been an "incredible experience" to receive it alongside his brother.

"Between Dean and myself, we've worked together on everything, we support each other a lot and the thing that we've been nominated for through our ambulance work is something that we fostered together," he said.

"We've pulled through thick and thin and obviously you have challenging times in the ambulance service, so it's been really nice that we've been there for each other throughout all of those years that we've been responding.

"It's an incredible honour to be nominated and also to receive the honour, but it's extra special to receive that with Dean."

Mr Appleton, who has been a community first responder for 13 years, said he and his brother would go with their mother as children when she went to give blood.

He said this had influenced them to want to help others.

"I remember the very first time when you can give blood as an adult, Dean and I had already signed up and were ready to donate as well," he continued.

"That message just carried on and it was doing more, I've donated bone marrow since then.

"When we saw you could be a first responder, we had the view that if you have spare time... we thought 'why not put in that time?' and if your neighbour or someone in your community does need help, then absolutely why not?"

Dr Nikos Savvas, chief executive officer of Eastern Education Group and principal of Abbeygate Sixth Form College, was also appointed OBE for services to further education.

He said the honour belonged to "the whole of Eastern Education Group and to Suffolk".

"What we have achieved here shows that world-class education doesn't only happen in big cities," he said.

"Suffolk is leading the way, and this award is recognition of the people, partnerships and communities that make that possible. I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together."

Other people in Essex awarded honours include:

• Dr John Martin Bagshaw, is appointed CBE for services to quantum science in the aerospace and defence sectors
• Hilary May Evans-Newton, chief executive officer, Alzheimer's Research UK, is appointed CBE for services to charity
• Richard Haworth Farnes, conductor, is appointed CBE for services to music
• Catherine Francis, director of new towns, infrastructure and housing delivery at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is appointed CBE for public service
• Jeffrey David Asser, assistant director, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is appointed OBE for services to North Sea transition
• Jane Louise Hubert, head of quality for acute specialised commissioned services, direct and specialised commissioning quality team, South East region, NHS England, is appointed OBE for services to cancer patients
• Paul Lewis, managing partner, Linklaters LLP, is appointed OBE for services to the community in Newport
• Vivien Sanders, principal officer, Cabinet Office, is appointed OBE for public service
• Olusola Olunronke Anike Alabi, director, Exam Success Education Centre, is appointed MBE for services to education
• Prof Michael Kevin Almond, QVRM VR DL, veterans and family studies at Anglia Ruskin University and chairman of Essex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, is appointed MBE for services to service personnel and veterans
• Richard Stewart Austin, fundraiser, is appointed MBE for services to charitable fundraising and rugby
• Alexander Gibson BEM, founder and chairman, Challenging Motor Neurone Disease, is appointed MBE for charitable services
• Aileen Henderson, hand embroidery supervisor, Wyedean Weaving Ltd, is appointed MBE for services to defence ceremonial
• Roger Charles Hirst, police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, is appointed MBE for services to policing and to community safety
• Joanna Clare Hughes, director, Joanna Hughes Solicitor Apprenticeships, is appointed MBE for services to education and skills
• James Francis Irvine, lately chairman, Debra, is appointed MBE for services to people living with epidermolysis bullosa
• Maninder Kohli, is appointed MBE for services to fashion
• Valerie Tarere Lolomari, founder, Women of Grace UK, is appointed MBE for services to the prevention of violence against women and girls
• Ronald Charles Mills, trustee, Jack Petchey Foundation, is appointed MBE for services to young people in London and Essex
• Paul Raymond, is appointed MBE for services to the English Shotokan Karate Association in the south-east of England
• Martin Denis Solder, chief executive officer, Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, is appointed MBE for services to young people
• Dr Tanya Esther Thomson (Tanya Moore), principal social worker, Essex County Council, is appointed MBE for services to social work
• Joan Eilleen Barfield, is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Colchester
• Christine June Foy, leader, Girlguiding, is awarded a BEM for services to young people in Epping
• Maureen Alice Rhoda Geddes is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Hatfield Broad Oak
• Leslie John Hawkins, community special constable co-ordinator, Essex Police, is awarded a BEM for services to policing and to the community in Essex
• Robert Anthony Maysis, awarded a BEM for services to Parkinson's disease sufferers and to charitable fundraising
• Angela Patricia O'Callaghan is awarded a BEM for services to health and wellbeing in the workplace
• Judith Ann Pickess, leader, Girlguiding, is awarded a BEM for services to young people in Essex
• Julie Taylor is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Maldon, following the murder of her grandson
• Valentine Freeman West is awarded a BEM for services to charitable causes and to the Gurkha and Afghan communities in Colchester

Other people in Suffolk awarded honours include:

• Joanna Louise Butlin, founder, director and chair of the Women's Utility Network, is appointed OBE for services to net zero and diversity in the energy sector
• Clare Elizabeth Flintoff, lately chief executive officer, Asset Education, Ipswich, is appointed OBE for services to education
• Francis Christopher Lewis, deputy chair, Maritime Transport Limited, is appointed OBE for services to the ports and logistics industry
• Rory Wallace, deputy director, steel sector, Department for Business and Trade, is appointed OBE for services to the steel industry
• Brian John Hall is awarded a BEM for voluntary services
• Diana Ray Hunt is awarded a BEM for services to the local environment in Suffolk

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.