A COMMUNITY hero who led a team of volunteers to make 11,000 face shields for NHS frontline workers during the pandemic has been recognised by the Queen in her Birthday Honours list.

Tim Neobard, 39, from Ashingdon, spearheaded the effort from Essex Hackspace, a communityrun workshop in Hawkwell.

He has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Rochford.

On top of making face masks for frontline health workers, Mr Neobard also delivered 150 laptops to families to help with homelearning when schools were shut.

He is now organising a similar scheme for Ukrainian refugees and their young families.

Reacting to the announcement, Mr Neobard said: “It was a bit of a shock when I first found out about it.

“It was a surprise and there are so many other people behind the project and work too and I am getting the recognition.

“It’s been a hard slog to get it up and running but we are pleased of the help we have been able to offer in the community. We started laser cutting face shields for frontline NHS workers. We delivered 11,000 to hospitals and care homes.

“We also raised £10,500 for a laser cutting machine for all this work.

“Then in the second lockdown we collected laptops for families to help with home schooling.”

Mr Neobard added his family were “incredibly proud” of his achievements.

n Meanwhile, the chair of Care England and Billericay care provider Hallmark Care Homes, Avnish Goyal, was made a CBE for his services to social care and philanthropy.

Mr Goyal, founder of care provider Hallmark Care Homes in Radford Way, received the honour for his contribution during the pandemic.

He worked with the largest representative body for social care, Care England, the Care Workers Charity and volunteer-led initiative Championing Social Care.

He said: “I’m deeply humbled to be recognised by her Majesty the Queen in her special platinum jubilee year for my work in social care and philanthropy as we celebrate our own silver jubilee for Hallmark Care Homes.

“I joined the sector because I wanted to make a difference and I knew I had something to offer.

“Over that time, I’ve worked hard, with my brothers, to establish a care company we can be proud of by delivering high quality care to residents in beautifully designed award-winning care homes and driving quality and care standards in the sector.”

n Former chief executive of East Anglian Air Ambulance, Patrick Peal is made an MBE for his services to Mr Peal helped to turn the of East Anglian Air Ambulance charity from its infancy, with just one helicopter in use once a week, to a fully-fledged helicopter emergency medical service, flying 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The 68-year-old is due to accept his MBE insignia from a senior member of the Royal Family during an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

He said: “Receiving this accolade is humbling. The East Anlian Air Ambulance wouldn’t be held in such high regard and give so much back to the community if it weren’t for the hard work and dedication from each and every member of the team.

“I feel this award is a tribute to all our staff, volunteers, supporters and patients too.”