One of the founders of a charity supporting bereaved parents and one of the nation’s most treasured actors are among those who have been named in the New Year Honours list.

More than 1,000 people have been honoured this year by King Charles III, including Medway charity founder David Ward and Doctor Who actor Tom Baker, who lives in Maidstone.

David Ward, chief executive of Abigail’s Footsteps, will receive an MBE for services to bereaved parents of stillborn children.

He set up the baby loss charity in 2010 with his wife Jo, one year after the pair lost their daughter Abigail.

The organisation provides support and counselling for bereaved parents and families, as well as specialist bereavement training for midwives and healthcare professionals.

Speaking about the honour, David said: “It feels very surreal. Obviously, we never set out to achieve anything like this and to be acknowledged in this way is very humbling.

“We always talk about the importance of fundraising but raising awareness is equally as important.

“Any recognition we can get towards the tragic situation that still goes on in this country with stillbirth and the poor facilities that exist in many hospitals still is great.

“Her [Abigail’s] legacy will outlive all of us, and I just see this as another sign of her legacy and all that the charity has achieved in the last nearly 15 years.

“I don’t think I’m worthy of it, I think it’s a team effort. It’s thanks to the support from so many people that we’ve done this.

“It’s bittersweet. So many families have been helped and supported by the charity and I’m delighted we’ve done that for them but sadly it's at the expense of Abigail.”

He said going forward, the charity was keen to support more hospitals.

He added: “Mothers lose babies and are still expected to lay in a ward with mothers who have given birth to live babies – it’s just totally unacceptable.

“The more we can do to challenge hospitals to improve their bereavement care, the better”.

Doctor Who legend Tom Baker, who lives in Maidstone, has also been honoured with an MBE. His is for services to television.

He played the iconic character in the science fiction series between 1974 and 1981 and was the longest-serving Doctor.

Also being honoured this year, for services to charitable fundraising and to the community in Canterbury, is Wilhelmina Nina Cooper, who is awarded a BEM.

The 82-year-old is a campaigner for arts funding, particularly to give those without the financial means a chance to take part in making music.

She has worked with the Deal Festival of Music and the Arts DFMA since 2003 and has been instrumental in raising more money than ever to meet the needs of young people in east Kent.

Recently, her fundraising has meant that 250 children between eight and 10 have started learning instruments in schools in Kent each year.

A member of staff from Southeastern is being recognised for his services to mental health in transport.

Lee Woolcott-Ellis, from Ramsgate, worked with the Rail Safety and Standards Board to introduce a framework to help train companies promote, manage and support mental wellbeing.

It’s been signed by more than 130 businesses since 2021.

The 60-year-old said: “I was at work when the letter about the honour arrived and I was totally surprised when I opened it.

“It’s a privilege to have been recognised by the industry that I care so much about and that’s been an important part of my life for many years.

“I am genuinely honoured, and profoundly grateful to be acknowledged in this way. This recognition means a great deal to me and it truly warms my heart to know that my efforts have been appreciated.”

Police Constable Ross Dorman has been awarded the medal after preparing the county for the impact of new border controls following the UK’s exit from the EU.

The roads policing expert also helped partner agencies respond to new rules on freight drivers introduced during Covid and the closure of the French border in December 2020.

The 56-year-old from Sittingbourne retired from the force in May and says it is a “huge honour”.

He added: “I could barely believe it when I received the news but I am very happy and grateful to have been recognised in this way.

“Being a police officer is all about serving the community and that is a responsibility I have always taken seriously. I will treasure this honour for the rest of my life.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.

“They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.

“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”

The full list can be found here.

The people from Kent who have been nominated include:

ORDER OF THE BATH

Companions of the Order of the Bath

Sarah Winifred Albon, chief executive, Health and Safety Executive, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to public administration (Tenterden)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Austin Christopher Daboh, executive vice-president, Atlantic Records UK. For services to music (Rochester)

Professor John Crofton Harle, musician. For services to music (Canterbury)

Paul David Hudson, lately planning advisor, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. For services to town planning (Maidstone)

Rosie Marr, deputy director, Cabinet Office. For public service (Tunbridge Wells)

Geoffrey Arthur Miles, DL. For services to the business and voluntary sectors (Hythe)

David Oldfield, lately interim group chief operating officer, Lloyds Banking Group. For services to workplace mental health and well-being, and to disability (Sevenoaks)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Thomas Stewart Baker, actor and writer. For services to television (Maidstone)

Katherine Jane Batts, lately treasurer, City of Rochester Swimming and Lifeguard Club. For voluntary service to swimming and to the Royal Life Saving Society (Rochester)

Alexander Angus Cameron, co-chairperson, High Street Heritage Action Zone and co-chairperson, Intra Community Trust. For services to heritage and the community in Kent (Rochester)

Lisa Evans, manager, Abacus Nursery and Childcare Ltd. For services to early years (New Romney)

Lawrence David Mckee, chairperson, Wealden Sailability and trustee, Rockdale Sheltered Housing. For charitable services to disabled people and to the community in Kent (Sevenoaks)

Susan Medway, director and curator, Chelsea Physic Garden. For services to horticulture and to charity (Herne Bay)

Amanda Mifsud, co-founder, Abbie's Army. For charitable services to children and families dealing with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and to Brain Tumour Research (Ashford)

Raymond Mifsud, co-founder, Abbie's Army. For charitable services to children and families dealing with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and to Brain Tumour Research (Ashford)

Edwin Charinge Ndlovu, chief operating officer and deputy chief executive, East London NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS and to nursing (Ashford)

Bryher Charlotte Jane Pennells, SEND teacher, Charlton Park Academy, London. For services to children and young people with SEND (Sevenoaks)

Anna Ruth Twomlow, witness care coordinator, Serious Fraud Office. For services to the Administration of Justice (Sevenoaks)

David Ward, founder and trustee, Abigail's Footsteps. For services to bereaved parents of stillborn children, particularly in Kent (Rochester)

William Wyatt, chairperson, Halliwick Association of Swimming Therapy. For services to disabled people (Maidstone)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Susan Boon, for services to the community in Biddenden (Biddenden)

Wilhelmina Nina Cooper, for services to charitable fundraising and to the community in Kent (Canterbury)

June Rosemary Cox, for services to the community in Bredhurst (Gillingham)

Elizabeth O’Hanlon, for services to the environment and to sustainability in Rainham (Gillingham)

Russell John Parker, founder, Meopham Sports and Leisure Association. For services to the community in Meopham (Gravesend)

Lee Woolcott-Ellis, mental health lead manager, Southeastern Railway. For services to mental health in transport (Ramsgate)