Charitable couple 'speechless' to receive MBEs

Charles and Mary Dobson said the news came "completely out of the blue"

A charitable couple, a pioneering chemist and a wildlife filmmaker are among those who have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Mary and Charles Dobson, from Bristol, were left "speechless" after they were each made MBEs for charitable services to children and young adults living with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses.

Meanwhile, wildlife filmmaker Doug Allan said it was "a great surprise" to be appointed OBE.

Trailblazing chemist, Prof Dudley Shallcross, also made OBE said: “This award is the culmination of a massive team effort, thanks to my amazing family and colleagues.

“We’re just an ordinary couple and we are now suffering from a bad case of imposter syndrome," said Mr Dobson.

Following an accident in which their son Julian lost two fingers, Mr and Mrs Dobson, who are now 80 and 81, founded the Charles and Mary Dobson Charitable Trust in 1988 through which they donated a percentage of their annual salaries to charitable causes.

Their fundraising continued through their trust, The Spandex Foundation, which was renamed The Starfish Trust in 1998.

Their charitable trusts have distributed almost £7m in grants, helping fund the likes of six specialist hydrotherapy pools for disabled children, a meningitis research laboratory at the University of Bristol and the development of a children’s hospice in Bristol, for which they gave £1m.

'Very privileged'

The pair were on holiday in Spain when they received a phone call from their cleaner, Sally, who had opened the letter for them.

Mr Dobson continued: “We were speechless – it was completely out of the blue.

“Sally wanted to know if she would have to curtsey to us when we arrived home."

He said they felt "very privileged" to receive the award.

Doug Allan said he might "take a serious bit of unwinding" on Sunday to celebrate his OBE

The award also came "out of the blue" for Bristol-based wildlife filmmaker and marine conservationist Doug Allan.

He became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the broadcast media and to the promotion of environmental awareness.

Mr Allan, who is currently in Canada working on a programme about wolves, told the BBC it was "a great surprise".

"I have no idea who put me forward."

He said wildlife series used to have a conservation message when he started in the 1980s and that message "is coming back".

"I'm very lucky that I've had my chance to create environmental awareness across so many platforms."

Prof Dudley Shallcross thanked everyone who had supported him during his career

Prof Shallcross has helped more than 10,000 teachers worldwide to inspire and educate the next generation of scientists.

The professor of atmospheric chemistry becomes an OBE for his outstanding contribution to science education in the UK and overseas.

He said: “My daughter picked up the morning post with an envelope from the Cabinet Office, so I invited her to open it.

"It was quite a surprise and my whole family is now very excited."

Prof Shallcross said his family and everyone he had worked with had been "incredibly supportive" throughout his career.

"So, this award is a massive collective and I just want to say the biggest thank you.”

He added: "I must pay tribute in particular to my very good friend and colleague Tim Harrison, who worked with me on many of these projects and sadly died in January last year, before being able to accept an MBE award.”

Also honoured in Bristol were:

Jonathan James BEM

Conductor, teacher and music educator

For services to music

Catherine Coombs BEM

President, junior coach, manager and child welfare officer at Redland Ladies Hockey Club

For services to hockey in Bristol

Anne Harris MBE

Lately director of care at Rainbow Trust

For services to seriously ill children and their families