HEROES from across Berkshire have been recognised for their achievements in the New Year’s Honours list.

A number of people were acknowledged, including the head of operations at South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), the founder of Ella’s Kitchen and more.

Kirsten Willis was made an MBE for her services to NHS leadership, having worked for the organisation for more than two decades.

The paramedic and current head of operations in West Berkshire for SCAS has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM). Kristen has worked with the NHS since leaving college, initially working in physiotherapy before training to become a paramedic with the Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust from 1995.

She has worked through management and leadership roles in front line operations as well as within the NHS 111 service.

She has a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of staff, especially those exposed to trauma.

Kirsten is also a committed chair of the SCAS LGBT network and deputy chair to the National Ambulance LGBT network, both of which are important to her.

Kirsten said: “I am so proud to receive this award, I love working for the service and remain passionate about us delivering the best possible care we can for our patients.”

Caversham man Jonathan Terry founded the Cystinosis Foundation UK charity, and has been made an MBA for his work.

He set up the foundation in 1999, and is the oldest survivor of the condition in the UK.

Paul Lindley, who founded Ella’s Kitchen from his Reading home in 2006, has been given an OBE.

The organic baby food company is now the biggest brand in the UK.

SCAS’ Mark Ainsworth-Smith, who works as the consultant pre-hospital care practitioner, was appointed an MBE for his work in emergency care and major trauma.

Mark has worked in the NHS since 1987, and has been employed as consultant practitioner since 2007.

He said: “It is an incredible privilege to receive it and I hope that this honour also recognises all the amazing people I work with in the NHS who are caring for injured or unwell patients 24 hours a day.

"I would like to make special mention of my family, who have put up with all the long working hours and have stuck with me through thick and thin. They deserve this award much more than I.”