A BUMPER crop of awards have been announced for Wanstead and Woodford residents in the Queen's birthday honours list.
A Knighthood, a CBE and four MBEs were bestowed within the borough as the dedicated and selfless recipients were recognised for services to the community.
Headteacher Paul Grant, from Wanstead, was knighted for services to education after turning around a failing school.
When Sir Paul was appointed to Robert Clack Comprehensive in Dagenham 12 years ago around 30 per cent of pupils regularly missed school, nearly a quarter of teachers were supply staff and behaviour was out of control.
He spent his first six months in the job disciplining pupils, touring lessons and meeting parents. At one point he drove the school minibus around the area looking for truants.
Now 82 per cent of pupils now achieve five A* to C grades at GCSE while A-level students win places at Oxbridge.
Mr Grant said: "We have tried very hard to create a safe and secure environment for our pupils. Teachers now tend to stick around for a while and we teach everyone that it’s a tough world out there, but it’s not impossible if you stick together.”
Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, of Gants Hill, received an MBE for his work running Redbridge-based charity Drugsline.
He said: "I feel honoured and humbled at the same time and very excited after so many years working in different facets of the community - both in the Jewish community and with Drugsline.
"It come as a complete surprise to me but gives us more impetus to work even harder to build on this success and broaden the services that we provide."
Snaresbrook resident Alwen Williams received a CBE for services to healthcare in her capacity as chief executive of NHS Tower Hamlets.
Under her leadership with PCT was this year rated second in the country for the quality of its work in improving services for local people and the fastest improving PCT for improving patient satisfaction with access to see a GP.
She said: ”I am delighted to receive this honour. I think east London is a place that encourages people to make a contribution to the community and to try to make a difference."
Orchard Cancer Appeal founder Colin Sydney Osborne, of Grace Close, Hainault, also received an MBE for services to healthcare.
The 46-year-old said: "It was a very big surprise and obviously I'm very proud.
"I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 and at one point was only given three months to live.
"I was given all sorts of experimental treatment and was so impressed by the dedication of the doctor treating me that I decided that I had to do something to aid his research."
Whipps Cross chartered physiotherapist Jill Muncey, of Woodford Green, was awarded an MBE for services to the allied health professions.
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