Inspirational figures from Hampshire have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list.
Dan Crow, director of 'a space arts' from Southampton, and Kimberley Purkis from Ashurst, founder and chief executive of Face Everything and Rise (FEAR), have both been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their outstanding contributions to arts, heritage, and the lives of people living with complex medical conditions.
Dan, 49, has dedicated more than 25 years to revitalising Southampton’s cultural landscape.
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Dan said: "It came completely out of the blue I got home to find a letter from the House of Commons I was like oh my god what have I done.
"It was a huge surprise, I am proud, surprised, it’s not sunk in yet just sitting with it because it has all been embargoed I haven’t told anyone, I told our trustees it’s all new and fresh
"They haven’t said when I am going to get the honour in person but I know that we get to go to the garden party for that.
"I’m just a regular person so to have this award is a bit surreal."
He has transformed neglected historic buildings into creative hubs that blend art, heritage, and social purpose.
Dan founded 'A Space Arts' in 2002 to support Southampton’s creative community through affordable studios, exhibition platforms, and professional development schemes.
His work has led to the transformation of sites including The Arches Studios, Tower House Studios, and The Sorting Office into vibrant workspaces for hundreds of artists.
Among his largest achievements is the £3.1 million restoration of God’s House Tower (GHT).
The medieval landmark now serves as a public arts venue and in its first year of reopening in 2019, it welcomed 17,200 visitors and supported 407 artists.
Dan also launched the RIPE programme in 2018.
This graduate scheme, delivered in partnership with local universities, supports around 60 emerging artists each year.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Kim Purkis has been honoured for her tireless advocacy on behalf of individuals living with intestinal failure.
She was diagnosed with the condition in 2015 and requires a central line and artificial nutrition.
Despite this, she has devoted herself to improving the lives of others with complex medical needs.
She said: "It’s been a bit hard to keep it a secret since the letter came about six weeks ago.
"I was speechless.
"I never really feel proud, but I did when I got the letter.
"I think it’s a recognition for all the people that we support in FEAR – that acknowledgement and awareness for them, it’s awesome."
Through the organisation she founded, Face Everything and Rise (FEAR), Kim has built partnerships with Places Leisure and Level Water.
These have helped to make leisure and recreational activities more accessible for people with intestinal failure and similar conditions.
She secured policy changes at more than 200 leisure centres across the country.
These changes allow young people with specialist dry suits to swim safely during public sessions.
Her efforts helped more than 100 swimmers gain access to pools.
In 2024 alone, FEAR organised 24 events for more than 5,000 participants.
Among the highlights was a fully funded trip to Disneyland Paris in December for 21 families.
The group included 73 people, with a nutrition nurse on hand throughout.
Ms Purkis plans to share the news publicly at a family event in the coming days.
She said: "It’s my dad retirement next week so we are having a party for them so I think I will tell everyone then."
Both Kim and Dan are among the 42 Hampshire Residents honoured in the Birthday Honours list for King Charles III in 2026.
Fareham conservationist awarded with an MBE
A leading conservationist was also awarded in the King's Birthday Honours list.
Jon Stokes, from Fareham, director of trees, science and research at The Tree Council, was has been awarded an MBE for his dedication to protecting and promoting the UK’s trees through decades of work in tree conservation.
Mr Stokes said: "It did bring me to tears, I’m not ashamed to admit it, not least because someone took the time and effort to nominate me and apparently, it’s not an easy process to do.
"I’m really touched by whichever person took the time to do it.
"I am incredibly grateful."
His passion for trees was first rooted in childhood when, in 1973, he planted a tree with his father as part of The Tree Council’s Plant a Tree in ’73 campaign.
That early experience inspired a 36-year career with the charity, during which he helped to develop the Tree Warden Scheme, empowering thousands of volunteers nationwide to care for trees in their communities.
Throughout his career, Mr Stokes has championed the importance of trees in all parts of the landscape, including urban areas, farms, orchards, hedgerows, and ancient and veteran trees.
He has worked closely with government departments, including Defra, to secure greater policy recognition and funding for these often-overlooked trees.
Sara Lom, chief executive officer at The Tree Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Jon’s extraordinary contribution has been recognised in this way.
"This honour is richly deserved."
Mr Stokes is also a published author, and his recent book, Trees of Britain and Ireland, draws on decades of experience to help the public better identify and understand native trees.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Stokes said: "I am deeply honoured to receive this award.
"My love of trees began as a child and over the years, I’ve been inspired by so many people—friends, colleagues, partners and especially the Tree Wardens—our remarkable volunteers across the country who care so deeply about trees.
"Both the trees and the people have shaped my journey and given me the opportunity to combine my hobby with my work.
"What could be more joyful or more fortunate than that?"
Voice of Hampshire Hospitals given BEM
A hospital radio volunteer who has spent decades supporting patients has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Neil Blanks, 61, from Portsmouth, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to hospital radio in Gosport and Portsmouth.
Mr Blanks said: "I thought it was a scam at first when I found out."
He began volunteering in 1999 with Radio Haslar in Gosport before moving to Portsmouth’s Queen Alexandra Hospital, dedicating up to 20 hours a week.
During his time with the stations, he produced and presented a variety of shows and wrote original radio plays.
He also contributed to the stations’ operations, serving as fundraising manager and programme controller.
As part of his work, he helped secure thousands of pounds in funding and supported outreach events, including the Olympic Torch relay in 2012.
He also interviewed notable figures such as Donna Jones, David Fuller, and Gerald Vernon-Jackson.
Leading economist given OBE for her work shaping public policy
A professor has been recognised for shaping public policy with her research.
Professor Jo Swaffield, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton, has been awarded an OBE for her contributions to economics.
Professor Swaffield, from Winchester, said: "I am delighted to receive this honour and for my work to be recognised in this way.
"I’m also grateful to the outstanding and generous colleagues I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and for their support throughout my career."
Her research focuses on the UK labour market, including low pay, the gender wage gap, and in-work poverty, and has informed national policy decisions, including the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations on the UK National Minimum Wage.
She has served on the Home Office’s Migration Advisory Committee since 2018 and is a trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Professor Swaffield added: "I feel very privileged to have had to the opportunity to contribute to policy areas that I care deeply about and that are critical to creating a fairer society and economy."
Royal Navy advocate awarded MBE for services to navy personnel, veterans and families
A lifelong advocate for naval personnel has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Anne Carr was recognised for her dedication to supporting Royal Navy personnel, veterans, and their families, particularly through her 16 years of service as head of grants at the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
During her time at the charity, she was instrumental in delivering more than £112 million in funding, which supported capital projects, operational welfare, family days, and operational welfare grants, particularly during COVID, whether ashore or afloat, in the UK or across the world.
Ms Carr said: "I feel very honoured to receive an MBE and truly grateful to have been recognised.
"My career in the WRNS, and those years, shaped so much of who I am today, the values I hold, the friendships I made, and my understanding of what service really means.
She added: "I was fortunate to join the charity in its earliest days, with a shared purpose and a real belief in what we were trying to build for Royal Navy personnel, their families, and veterans."
Supporting families and personnel throughout every stage of life, Anne's work ensured critical funding reached those most in need, whether ashore or afloat, in the UK or across the world.
During the Afghanistan conflict, she provided immediate assistance through death-in-service grants and was a constant source of reassurance and care for families experiencing profound loss.
She described her work as a privilege and highlighted the collective nature of the charity’s achievements.
She added: "This award reflects not only my own efforts but the dedication of everyone I’ve worked with over the years, the staff I have had the privilege to manage, colleagues working inside and outside the RNRMC, volunteers, families, and our beneficiaries.
"I’m proud to have contributed to something that continues to make a difference and remain dedicated to supporting the Royal Navy community."
