The chairman of Jersey Hospice Care Dr Gari Purcell-Jones and former Jurat Dr Paul Liddiard were publicly revealed as being made MBE at the Lieutenant-Governor’s levée held at Government House.
Dr Purcell-Jones was recognised for his services to the Hospice, while Dr Liddiard was honoured for his dentistry work in less developed countries.
Speaking to the JEP about the award, Dr Purcell-Jones said: ‘I feel very happy about it, but also very humble at the same time. Jersey does very well in delivering high quality care because dying really does matter.’
The 62-year-old retired consultant who has worked for the Hospice for almost 30 years said that the award had come as a ‘big surprise’.
‘I am delighted to accept this honour on behalf of everyone at the Hospice, volunteers, staff and care workers and I could not have done it without my wife Helen and two children, Megan and Jessica.’
Meanwhile, Dr Liddard, who has travelled all over the world – including Nepal, Bolivia and the Amazon Rainforest – to provide dental care to communities that otherwise would have no access to treatment, said the award ‘came as a bolt out of the blue’.
The former dentist, who has also trained heath workers in less developed countries on how to manage dental emergencies, said: ‘The first trip to Nepal was an experiment, just to see what happened and I thought: “this could be something I could do in the future”.
‘It is very rewarding because you are helping your brothers. It is hard work when you visit these countries and see what they are really like when they are not behind a tourist facade. I have enjoyed it immensely.’
The 76-year-old said that although he does not sleep on ‘jungle floors in sleeping bags’ any more and ahas slowed down recently, he still likes to ‘keep himself occupied’.
He added: ‘Thank you to the people who helped towards the success of my trip and the people who put my name forward and recognised what I did.’
Dr Liddiard’s two children, Tim and Nicola Hollis attended the ceremony on his behalf, as he is currently in the UK.
