They include architect Andrew Ozanne, who has been awarded an OBE for his services to justice and health care. Edric Baker from Sark has been awarded an MBE for services to that island, while Government House gardener Gary Le Poidevin has been awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (Silver).
Mr Ozanne expressed incredulity at the award and said while he feels he is undeserving, it has recharged his passion to continue his charitable work.
‘It was truly unexpected and hugely appreciated,’ he said.
‘You often see people given honours and awards and think they are deserving. When it is you in that place it is so difficult to see yourself in that context. I’ve had so many brilliant opportunities to have done what I have done and I do it all because I enjoy it.’
Born and bred in Guernsey, Mr Ozanne attended Forest School and Elizabeth College before departing for further education in architecture in 1971.
After completion of his studies from the Oxford School of Architecture, Mr Ozanne returned to the island in the early 1980s.
Upon his return, Mr Ozanne’s charitable work has been focused upon those less fortunate in society, in particular those inside the justice and health care systems.
Mr Ozanne has sat as chairman and vice-chairman of Victoria Hospital Incorporated since 1984 – a charity to assist the less fortunate with medical expenses.
In 2013 he founded CLIP (Creative Learning in Prison) and 2015 he set up ODAS (Offenders Deposit Assistance Scheme).
These two charities try to address the largest factors restricting offenders from taking control of their future, namely financial and educational restraints.
Mr Ozanne has held more than 20 voluntary positions across a diverse range of charities throughout his adult life.
He said: ‘It is particularly poignant because of the D-Day celebrations but you look at those men involved, each and everyone of them deserves this honour. It is hard to feel as though I do, you feel as though you must overcome some adversity to be honoured.
‘At university you set out for a degree, you achieve it and you are pleased, but this has come out of the blue and was never expected – it is really overwhelming. I see it as though this award is for all of those people in my life, in my work, the prison governor, the staff, the inmates, the patients, anyone who provided that structure to get to the podium where I can receive this. This honour is all for them.’
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