By Ollie Heptinstall, Will Goddard

The founder of a group for children with special needs and their families in Dawlish received her BEM (British Empire Medal) in a ceremony at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Lympstone last week.

Dr Jill Diprose founded the group, AIMS (Activities Interests Music Support), nearly 30 years ago in 1992. She was given the award earlier this year in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for 2022 in recognition of her services to local families and children with special needs.

Also attending the ceremony was 12-year-old Max Woosey, who also received the British Empire Medal after spending more than two years sleeping in a tent for charity.

Others attending the ceremony included:

• Andrew Willard, Plymouth, who received a Member of the British Empire, MBE, for services to HM Prison and Probation Service.
• Verna Pollard, Plymouth, a foster carer who received an MBE for services to children.
• Dr Miles Joyner, Exeter, Founder of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund, who received an MBE for services to people suffering from blood cancer in Devon.
• Anne Muriel Stapleton, Plymouth, who received a British Empire Medal, BEM, for voluntary service to Young People.
• Janet Webber, Sidmouth, Director of Development for The Mission to Seafarers, who received a BEM for services to women in the international maritime sector.
• Emma Jones, Plymouth, who received a BEM for services to the community in Plymouth during covid.
• Gerald Millington, Otterton, who received a BEM for services to local history in Devon and Hertfordshire.
• Brian Stanley Smith, Newton Abbot, who received a BEM for services to the community in Newton Abbot, particularly during covid.
• Lt Cdr Louise Moxworthy, from Exeter, who received the Royal Red Cross (Second Class) ARRC – a military decoration – for excelling in two senior nursing roles.

David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant for Devon (DCC)

The Lord Lieutenant, David Fursdon, said handing out such awards to people is one of the best things he does.

Mr Fursdon added: "Being able to thank these individuals for what they have done, show recognition for them … what can be better than that?

"What this does is highlight the quieter, steadier people who just, in their communities, deliver year-on-year services to their fellows and peers.

"These are modest people. They don't seek the lime light, and some may even be embarrassed to be here today. I love that understated nature, and yet there they are, delivering day after day after day.

"People have stepped up during covid in a way that you would not have imagined, and the number of people who have learned to volunteer and are now appreciated by their community has increased.

"In a world full of bad news, this is just unalloyed good news, isn't it!"

The free drop-in group AIMS, founded by Dr Jill Diprose, currently meets at Oaklands Park School on Saturdays. Click here to find out more.