Congratulations are in order for two Islanders today as they are two of the named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Sean Harrison from Gurnard and Natasha Lambert from Cowes.
Stalwart fundraiser for Fire Fighters Charity
Sean Harrison (43) from Gurnard has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in the Isle of Wight.
He is the Regional and Service Coordinator for The Fire Fighters Charity in which he has played an important role for 24 years. Keen to support colleagues and the wider fire community he was station rep, organising events and helping colleagues to access the support they need. He transferred to the Isle of Wight as a retained fire fighter.
He took on the role of Service Co-ordinator, encouraging stations to take part in fundraising. With his leadership and tireless effort he has now fully re-engaged the service with the Charity. In 2012 became Regional Coordinator and has driven the Southern region forward. He has supported existing members to become more engaged with the Charity and also encouraged and developed new Service Co-ordinators. He has developed excellent, mutually supportive relationships with staff.
Sean is a dedicated Chair of the Gurnard Parish Council and has revitalised the parish council, providing great leadership and direction. He has also volunteered as a school governor and is currently Vice Chair of Governors at Cowes Enterprise College.
Inspirational sailor
Massive congratulations to Natasha Lambert from Cowes who has been recognised for services to charity in the Queen’s Award with British Empire Medal (BEM).
Tash was born with athetoid cerebral palsy, resulting in her having no control over her limbs.
Despite this she has gone on, not only to demonstrate a remarkable determination to lead as normal a life as possible, but also to help others through her charitable fundraising. Aged 11 she became a Guide and went on to achieve the highest award in Guiding, the Baden Powell Award, fulfilling a series of challenges and activities, including running a disability awareness evening for her local Guide group.
In 2010 Tash did a sponsored walk up Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight, raising £2,700 for a disabled girl on the island. In 2010 she also took up sailing at UKSA in Cowes and spent two years sailing with her local RYA Sailability Club. In 2012 she sailed around the Isle of Wight, raising £17,000 for the RNLI, The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and Scope. In 2013 she sailed across the English Channel and raised £7,000 for various charities.
In 2014 Tash became the YJA Apollo Young Sailor of the Year and at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards received the Outstanding Personal Achievement of the Year Award.
