Dennis is a retired police officer whose brave exploits, even when off duty, made news on many occasions. Tackling an armed man, saving a pregnant woman from being assaulted, pulling a woman from a burning vehicle, giving cardiac first aid to save the life of a nine year old boy. It is no wonder that he was awarded an MBE. During his 43 years of service his charitable fund raising has been extraordinary. To name just a few exploits, crossing the Sahara desert on foot, traversing the Amazon also on foot, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, marching from New York to Philadelphia, trekking across Death Valley, travelling to the north pole, and even taking a swim in a tank of tiger sharks. Personally paying all his own costs and expenses, Essex organizations and individuals have benefitted by more than 3 million pounds.

Yvette has for more than 32 years given extraordinary service to the Canvey Island Air Scout Group. Amongst her many roles she is the leader of the 8 to 11 year old section taking her cubs away several times a year. One such occasion she took a contingent of 56 to France for a week. She saw to it that all the group had a great time including those wheelchair bound and with ADHT. She fundraises and organizes community volunteers, this year helping maintain the Lifeboat and local school gardens, and repainting a whole church. She often steps in to help with Beaver scouts aged 6 to 8 right through to the older ones aged 11 to 14 as a supervisor to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Her nominator says, “She is an inspiration to scouting and a role model for anyone working with young people”