Brentwood couple helping sick children named MBE

A husband and wife whose charity has helped more than a thousand children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses have been appointed MBE.

It’s been 18 years since Jason O’Shea and his wife Gail, both 58, from Brentwood, Essex, founded Wipe Away These Tears.

The couple have since raised more than £2 million to provide children with specialist equipment and gifts.

“If you’ve been lucky in life, and both myself and Gail have been very lucky, we have four wonderful, healthy children… you have to give something back,” Mr O’Shea said.

Mrs O’Shea said the charity aims to grant wishes to children in Essex who are seriously ill.

He has financed trips to Disneyland Paris and purchased items such as strollers or special car seats.

O’Shea said he would never forget how the charity was able to help a child.

“We bought a special wheelchair… that allowed them to stand up,” he said.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before, this wheelchair cost over £28,000… they weren’t walking, they were still on wheels, but they had the motion of walking.

“Seeing that kid’s face when he was in control of his own movements was something very, very special,” he said.

He said the charity had no overhead costs, so if a person donated £10 “the whole £10 goes towards doing something great”.

He added: “I think it’s a really nice thing to do random acts of kindness whenever possible, and if everyone had that mantra, we’d live a lot better than we currently do.”

Margaret Lines, 84, of Hatfield Heath, Essex, a trustee of the Alexia Wilson Trust, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the local community.

Mrs Lines ran the Hatfield Heath village not-for-profit playgroup for almost 30 years, helping to raise around a thousand children and providing opportunities for young mothers to meet each other.

She is a past president of Harlow Playhouse Supporters and for the last 16 years has been involved with Razed Roof, an inclusive performing arts group for people with and without learning difficulties and disabilities.

“I’ve been a volunteer all my life. I come from Devon and although I come from a very poor family, my mother was always very involved in organizing the harvest dinners.

“I was an only child, so I always helped her.

“I don’t enjoy sitting and reading a book or watching TV all the time, I enjoy being outside and with other people and helping.

“I love it, I’m kind of proud of myself,” she said.

Mrs Lines said her late husband “did a lot more than I did”.

Professor Peter Lines was president of a theater group, served on the town council, president of Razed Roof and former vice-chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire.

“Volunteering was helpful when he passed away, occupying my time. I kept doing what I was doing.”

“My husband would be proud, he was always proud of anyone’s achievements.”

“I just couldn’t believe it, a lot of people deserve it more than me.

“I kept it a secret, I didn’t tell anyone, it was difficult. I didn’t want to brag and, in fact, I feel embarrassed about it.

“I must emphasize again that I couldn’t do any of this without the support of family and friends; you can’t do volunteer work on your own.”

Others from Essex on the King’s New Year honors list include:

• Paul Brickell, 67, from Stansted Mountfitchet, chairman of Poplar HARCA, appointed MBE for services to regeneration
• Marcus Roberts, 64, from Colchester, a board member of the Essex Recovery Foundation, was appointed MBE for his services to public safety and to victims of addiction.
• Philip Crummy, 78, from Colchester, former director of Colchester Archaeological Trust, was appointed MBE for services to archeology and heritage.
• Samantha Hamber, 50, from Basildon, advocate for the Housing Advice, Resettlement and Prevention (HARP) service in London, appointed MBE for homeless services
• Gary Horne, 51, from Harwich, finance director of Colchester Institute, appointed MBE for services to education
• Bolaji Sofoluwe, 46, from Colchester, co-founder of the ETK group, appointed MBE for his service to sustainable business growth, women in business and international trade.
• Bhaskar Dasgupta, 72, from Westcliff-on-Sea, founding president of PMRGCAuk, was appointed MBE for services to people with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
• Joyce Giller, 90, from Westcliff-on-Sea, honorary treasurer of the Southend-on-Sea Society, appointed MBE for services to the community.
• Nicola Bowdidge, 58, from Colchester, co-founder of the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, was awarded an MBE for services to young people living with cancer.
• Richard Bowdidge, 57, from Colchester, co-founder of the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, appointed MBE for services to young people living with cancer.
• Benjamin Simpson, 47, from East Mersea, founder of Sea-Kit International, appointed MBE for services to the maritime industry
• Phillip Davis, 77, from Chigwell, founder of the Magical Taxi Tour Trip to Disneyland Paris, appointed MBE for his charitable service to children with life-threatening illnesses
• Michael Davies, 74, from Rayleigh, creator of Rayleigh Town Museum, awarded BEM for services to heritage
• John Polley, 91, from Colchester, a member of the Boxted Methodist Silver Band, was awarded the BEM for services to the community.
• Michael Keogh, 73, from Shenfield, director of the Springfield Youth Club, was awarded the BEM for services to young people
• Louise Barrett-Lees, 52, from Brentwood, founder of the Rehabilitation and Education Evaluation Center for Hippotherapy (REACH), received the BEM award for services to disabled people.