A GOOD Samaritan who carried on helping others even while he was lying in a hospital bed recovering from a cancer operation, is among several south Essex residents named in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Chris Guile, 48, says being made an MBE on the prestigious list has "touched his heart".

Mr Guile, of Elgar Gardens, Tilbury was honoured for his hard work and dedication when it comes to caring for people with physical and learning disabilities.

He has spent the past nine years working as volunteer, first for the Greenview Day Centre in South Ockendon and more recently for Community Service Volunteers (CSV) based in Brentwood.

Despite having lung cancer Mr Guile continues to do everything he can to help people in need and acts as a mentor to people with disabilities to help them integrate into the community.

He said: "I was amazed when I got the letter saying I was being made an MBE. I have no idea who put my name forward but I'm very proud. This has touched my heart."

Last year Mr Guile had to undergo a series of cancer treatments at Basildon Hospital. But typical of his kind nature even while he was lying in his bed recuperating he was thinking of others.

"I was so thrilled with the treatment I got from the wonderful doctors and nurses I decided there and then to organise a charity night to raise funds for the cancer ward," he said.

"So I picked up the bedside phone and started making calls to local businesses to see if I could get people to donate raffle prizes for the evening."

The charity night, held at Charlie's Bar in Brentwood ended up raking in £1,000 for the ward.

"I like to keep busy and I don't want to give up ever working as a volunteer," Mr Guile added.

Mr Guile will be taking his mother up to Buckingham Palace to receive his award from the Queen in the New Year.

"Hopefully it will be a memorable day but I think it will be quite emotional," he added.

Other names on the prestigious list include Shirley Gowland, from Billericay who has been awarded an MBE for services to disabled people.

Mrs Gowland, 77, was inspired to found the Hamelin Trust 25 years ago after her handicapped son tragically died at the age of 24.

The Billericay-based charity works to help people with disabilities across Essex by providing short break services, a resource centre, supported accommodation and outreach services within the community.

Widow Mrs Gowland still remains on the board of trustees at the charity.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have been awarded an MBE. I'm very patriotic and this is a wonderful honour," she said.

"The trust has gone from strength to strength thanks to a lot of hard work from a lot of people."

Steven Hayward, a business development manager for York Navy Systems based in Hornsby Way, Basildon will receive an MBE for services to the defence industry.

Simon James, chief engineer at Basildon based SELEX Communications has also been honoured for services to the defence industry and will get his MBE from the Queen.

Also honoured was Philip Lane from Leigh who is the chief executive of Paralympics GB, formerly the British Paralympic Association.

Mr Lane was awarded an OBE for services to sport.

He was Britain's Chef de Mission at the last games in Athens and the previous two Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City and Torino.

His other roles include managing director of Paralympic World Cup Ltd, which runs the multi-sport event held in Manchester each year and he is also chairman of Proactive East London.

In Rochford Cliff Wallace will be awarded the MBE for voluntary service to older people. Mr Wallace works with the Old People's Welfare Committee for Rochford and District and also works with hospitals in the area.