On Monday 13 October 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant honoured recipients from The King’s Birthday Honours list at an Investiture held at Knole, recognising extraordinary service and dedication across the county. In the presence of their family and friends, Lady Colgrain presented British Empire Medals to individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Among the recipients was Paul Dennington, who received the British Empire Medal for his outstanding fundraising and awareness-raising efforts for Prostate Cancer UK. Following his own diagnosis in 2020, Paul launched the 25 Million Step Challenge, walking daily and organising events that have raised over £120,000. His tireless campaigning continues to inspire and advocate for better screening and treatment trials in Kent.
Nicola Buckingham was honoured for her remarkable charitable work through Cooking4Charity. Since founding the initiative in 2009, Nicola has raised over £105,000 for The National Brain Appeal, baking and selling thousands of items from her home to support pioneering neurological research and care.
Receiving an Honorary British Empire Medal, Michaela Gordon was recognised for her exceptional service to local government and her unwavering support for children, young people, and families in Thanet. Fluent in five languages, Michaela has bridged cultural divides and built trust with hard-to-reach communities, transforming lives through her compassionate work with Early Help and local charities.
Gary Hackwell was awarded the British Empire Medal for his exceptional voluntary service to young people through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Medway. Since 1991, Gary has supported thousands of participants and helped establish the Medway Open Award Centre, ensuring inclusive access to expeditions and raising over £60,000 to secure its future.
John Hill received the British Empire Medal for his outstanding voluntary contribution to maritime safety through the RNLI. Over three decades, John has raised vital funds and led the Whitstable RNLI shop to become one of the most successful in the South East, while also organising community events and supporting volunteers.
Rebekah and Peter Homewood were honoured with the British Empire Medal for their extraordinary dedication to fostering children with complex medical needs. Their unwavering love and advocacy have helped children achieve milestones once thought impossible, transforming lives through their nurturing care and resilience.
Roger Valsler was recognised for his exceptional contribution to engineering education and outreach. Over a 57-year career at City University of London, Roger has mentored students through the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge, helping teams win global titles and inspiring young people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in engineering.
Susanna Howard received the British Empire Medal for her pioneering work in mental health, the arts, and charitable service through Living Words. Her creative approach to working with people living with dementia has transformed care environments and sparked national conversations through books, performances, and poetry.
Dr Dudley Hubbard was honoured for a lifetime of voluntary service, particularly through St John Ambulance. From first aid in the 1950s to mentoring cadets and leading community health initiatives, Dudley’s dedication has left a lasting legacy of compassion and civic leadership across Medway.
We would like to congratulate all the recipients for their outstanding achievements and thank them for all they do for their communities. It was a wonderful day of celebrating what makes Kent so special. A huge thank you to Deputy Lieutenant, Lord Sackville for allowing us to use Knole for this special day and thank you to the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets, Flight Sergeant Immy Freelove and Cadet Sergeant Eryn Rivers for assisting the Lord-Lieutenant so wonderfully.
Photo Credit: Russell Harper Photography
