New Year gongs delight
VOLUNTEERS from South Wales who have stepped up to the mark during the pandemic, together with renowned scientists, teachers and charity leaders, are among those recognised in the latest New Year’s Honours.
VOLUNTEERS from South Wales who have stepped up to the mark during the pandemic, together with renowned scientists and charity leaders, are among those recognised in the latest New Year’s Honours.
In the capital, Professor Anthony Campbell, of the Cardiff University School of Pharmacy, receives a CBE for services to biochemistry.
And the work of the Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue Team is recognised with an MBE to policeman Richard Paskell.
Professor Campbell has made his mark with revolutionary work on medical diagnosis, all inspired by a jellyfish.
He discovered that bioluminescence in animals, such as jellyfish, could be put to practical medical use in humans, an insight sparked by his “fascination” with the phenomenon.
He found the proteins responsible for the ability, and realised that combined with other molecules they could be used to measure other biological processes.
The process revolutionised clinical diagnosis and replaced a previous method that used radioactive materials. This method is now used in 100 million clinical tests every year across the world, allowing doctors to measure things including proteins, pathogens and other molecules in patients’ blood.
Mr Campbell said he was “thrilled” to be honoured.
He said: “All of my career has been dominated by this phenomenon of animals and other organisms that produce light, and I think it’s a wonderful story.
“You may look at it and think, ‘Why bother study it?’ but it led to huge advances in biomedicine, and it’s now used in several hundred million clinical tests per year.”
Richard Paskell, meanwhile, is part of the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team and was recognised for services to mountain rescue and to the community in South Wales.
The 43-year-old detective with South Wales Police and father of four said: “I’m gobsmacked, just completely blown away.
“It’s incredible. Volunteering has always been a part of me so I didn’t see it as anything different.”
Richard knew he wanted to be a police officer ever since he was five years old and was advised to show his “dedication” to helping young people and the community by volunteering.
Opening up on his volunteering, he added: “I’ve missed birthdays and Christmases but I’ve loved it.
“Being a part of the Scouts, seeing the children grow up or rescuing people in dire situations and being able to reach them when others can’t is amazing. I get so many different emotional highs from each one.”
Judi Rhys, chief executive of Tenovus Cancer Care, was awarded a MBE for services to the voluntary sector.
She has also been chief executive at Cancer Research Wales, Arthritis Care and British Liver Trust, as well as having senior roles in the MS Society and Diabetes UK and being a non-executive director of Public Health Wales and Sport Wales.
She spoke out during the pandemic to try to ensure the treatment of cancer patients did not suffer.
Judi, from Cardiff, said: “I am absolutely delighted. It has been a real privilege to work in and with a number of health-related charities over the past 14 years and to try and make a positive impact on the lives of others.”