Date published: 17 June 2024 by Katie Inglis
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity’s retired Director of Care, Anne Harris, has been made an MBE for Services to Seriously Ill Children and their families.
Anne, now a Life President for Rainbow Trust, which supports families caring for a life-threatened or terminally ill child, retired in December 2023 after almost two decades.
The first Anne knew about being nominated for an MBE was six weeks ago when she received a letter through the post from the Cabinet Office, marked ‘Strictly Confidential and Urgent.’
“I joked to my husband “‘what have I done wrong?’” Anne said.
“When I opened the letter I was speechless and that’s quite unusual for me. I couldn’t believe it. I had to read it twice. I couldn’t quite believe what the letter was telling me.”
The letter explained that Anne was being ‘recommended to His Majesty The King for the Honour of Member of the Order of The British Empire’ in the Birthday Honours List 2024.’
Official confirmation of the award came a couple of weeks ago when Anne received a call from the Cabinet office congratulating her on being awarded an MBE.
“I felt completely overwhelmed,”
“Being awarded an MBE is not about me: it’s about Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity as a whole and recognition of the marvellous staff, the work they do and the support they provide seriously ill children and their families who are going through the most traumatic circumstances.
I accept the award of an MBE on behalf of all those families Rainbow Trust supports who are caring for a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. It is recognition of their overwhelming courage.” Anne said.
When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, Rainbow Trust’s care teams of expert Family Support Workers provide practical and emotional support to families at home, in hospital and in the community to make life a little easier.
Mark Cunningham, Chair of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and Chief Executive Zillah Bingley, said:
“We are absolutely delighted that Anne has been made an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List: it is testament to her absolute dedication over her 17 years at Rainbow Trust.
“That Anne attributes the award to all the wonderful families caring for a seriously ill child and Rainbow Trust as a whole reflects her selflessness and, is a tribute to the courageous families living with the unimaginable as well as all our employees past and present who have made Rainbow Trust the wonderful charity that it is.
“Since Anne joined Rainbow Trust in July 2006, she has been pivotal in helping the charity work towards its mission: that every family in the UK who has a child with a life threatening illness receives the support they need. Hugely creative in bringing together the clinical and social care needs for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, Anne has ensured that each family receives expert practical and emotional support based on their own needs and that this support is available to all families irrespective of background and circumstances. This has transformed the way in which Rainbow Trust supports families.”
Anne will be invited to an investiture to receive her award at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Until then she will continue supporting the work of Rainbow Trust in her role as Life President.
