SEVERAL incredible people from Wrexham have been recognised for their contributions to society in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart has this evening (Friday, June 11) praised the achievements of over hundreds across the UK who have received awards via the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Of this, a handful were in the North Wales region.

The list recognises the work and achievements of a wide range of remarkable people across the United Kingdom from all backgrounds.

Recipients from Wales in 2021 include individuals who worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers who have given up their time to help others and worked towards effecting positive change throughout Wales

An MBE was awarded to Susan Trevor, 82, of Chirk for services to healthcare charities.

Ms Trevor has volunteers at the League of Friends of Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt hospital (RJAH) since 1967.

In 2014, having read about Horatio’s Garden, she set out to persuade those involved to bring a garden to RJAH for the benefit of patients with life changing spinal injuries.

It was major challenge to persuade both Horatio’s Garden and the hospital that it would be a beneficial and viable proposition.

She set out to raise £675,000 to build the garden. The League of Friends of which she is Vice Chairman undertook to raise 25 per cent of this but, she alone raised most of the £257,000 League of Friends contribution, vastly exceeding the commitment.

She is now Patron of Horatio’s Garden and many patients have stated that the garden has made an enormous difference to their mental health and wellbeing.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Susan has shown amazing commitment to charitable fundraising and her story is an inspiring one. The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt hospital (RJAH) is fortunate to have such a committed individual contributing so much of her time. Congratulations to Susan on this honour”.

In January 2020 RJAH was awarded a grant of £6 million to develop a centre of excellence for the treatment of veterans. This award would not have been achieved without Susan’s advice, guidance and support from the outset of the fundraising appeal.

Over her many decades of service she has run bus trips to her family home in Brykinalt, arranging lunches and dinners to attending the ward and feeding tetraplegic patients at meal times.

She is the major figure in organising the hospital’s shop, coffee shop, post office and over 300 volunteers.

The 82-year-old has always ‘led by example’ and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for specialist equipment – the latest being a £109,000 endoscopic unit for spinal conditions.

She also supports the NSPCC and The Movement Centre, having raised significant funds for these charities over many years. A physiotherapist by training she continued to use these skills in retirement, assisting at the hydrotherapy pool in Wrexham.

Awarded a BEM was John Gallanders for services to the community in Wrexham.

The 67-year-old, of Wrexham, is the chief officer for the Association of Voluntary Organisations in the county and manages a staff of 35 having peaked at 75 two years ago.

He has been ‘pivotal’ with the organisation of charitable, voluntary and third sector organisations across Wrexham and has been instrumental in overseeing this sector's response to the COVID pandemic.

Mr Gallanders oversees all aspects of support for 3rd sector agencies and volunteer coordination.

As the provision of state services reduces, the work of him (and his team) has become vital with supporting the people of Wrexham.

He has expertise in starting up organisations through to helping those that are well established.

He also has responsibility for the service delivery for Childcare, Play (through a project called The Land which has gained international recognition in 2013/14- 6th Coolest Playground in the World, Substance Misuse, Shopmobility, Ollies Cafe in the Law Courts (no longer operating), Childcare and Carers Support.

Also in Wrexham, Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) was awarded to Professor Helen James. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Canterbury Christ Church University for services to Higher Education.

Expressing his heartfelt thanks for their “inspiring achievements” Mr Hart congratulated all those being recognised with an award.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “In what has truly been an astonishingly challenging year, it is vital that we take the time to recognise and praise the inspiring achievements of remarkable people across society.

“These awards celebrate the individuals who selflessly give back to those around them, both through their work and personal lives, and whose work can sometimes be overlooked.

“It is heart-warming to see the hugely diverse range of recipients from communities and backgrounds across Wales, recognised for their commitment to charity, education, health, sport the arts and – during a global pandemic – extraordinary work in the fight against Covid-19.

“We are all extremely grateful for the efforts of each person honoured and I’d like to personally congratulate everyone receiving an award.”

Among the people from Wales to receive an award are former Wales Grand Slam-winning rugby captain Ryan Jones, OBE for services to ruby union and charity, former WRU Chief Executive Martyn Williams, MBE for services to rugby union, Sophie Clodagh Mary Blain (Sophie Andreae), CBE for services to Heritage, Nigel Vernon Short, CBE for services to the Economy in Wales, Myer Glickman, OBE for services to Health Analysis and Professor Helen James, OBE for services to Higher Education.

Jonathan Pryce, former Holywell Grammar School pupil is also getting a knighthood.