Honours recognise years of working to help others
Roles in security, health and charity are rewarded
A former mayor, still a very familiar face in the borough, is among 29 people from Kent to be given honours by the Queen.
Mike FitzGerald becomes an MBE for services to the homeless and the community in Maidstone. Having previously served as mayor, he has devoted a lot of time to helping less fortunate people, chairing Maidstone Homeless Care for many years.
He also serves on Chart Sutton Parish Council, and is well known in nearby Coxheath as the organiser of the annual World Custard Pie Championships, which celebrated its 50th year this year.
The Laxton Drive resident said: “I was totally stunned when I saw the letter, I knew nothing about it at all,” he said.
“I want to say a massive thanks to the people who nominated me. I have always had a passion about supporting people who are less well off, and I do believe you can make a change and it doesn’t have to break the bank.”
Another Maidstonian to be honoured is border security expert Simon Watkin. He brought in Britain’s first “no fly scheme” to prevent individuals who pose security threats to aircraft and the public from travelling to the UK. He joined the Home Office in 1984 and has been working on border security since 2011.
Mr Watkin said: “I had no idea someone had taken the trouble to nominate me for such an honour, which I was delighted to accept.
“Working on border security is a privilege, but every day is about making a contribution to keeping the public safe.
“I must also say a big thank you to my family for their love and support. This is for all the times I was late home or working away.”
Also on the list are Professor Richard Lyon, associate medical director of the Kent, Sur- rey, and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, based in Marden, who has been made an MBE for services to emergency healthcare. Leeds Castle chairman Niall Dickson was also honoured with a CBE for services to patient safety in line with his former role as chief executive of the General Medical Council.