A WOMAN who set up a charity following the death of her 27-year-old partner from epilepsy has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Jane Hanna, founder and director of Epilepsy Bereaved and a Vale of the White Horse district councillor for the Marcham and Shippon ward, has been campaigning for 15 years to reduce the number of deaths from epilepsy.

Ms Hanna’s partner, barrister Alan Pring, died suddenly 20 years ago following his fourth epileptic seizure, five months after being diagnosed.

Shocked to find Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) was largely unrecognised by coroners and medical professionals, she founded Epilepsy Bereaved with Mr Pring’s mother and three women who also suffered loss.

Thanks in part to her campaign, it is now recognised three people die each day from epilepsy in the UK, the majority of deaths being SUDEP.

Ms Hanna, 46, said: “This is wonderful recognition of the importance of the SUDEP cause. I’m proud to accept it on behalf of the many people I have worked with over the years, for whom the cause of awareness and prevention of SUDEP is paramount.

“At the core of our work are the bereaved families, many of whom are truly inspiring in their courage and support of the charity.”

Ms Hanna lives in Charlton Road, Wantage, with husband Andy Crawford, stepson Matthew and her two-year-old daughter. She was a law tutor at Keble College, but gave up her academic career to focus on the charity and look after her daughter.

She said: “There has been a massive change since we started. The Internet means there’s far more information available. But the number of deaths still could be drastically cut over the next 10 years.”

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: “This OBE gives much deserved recognition to her and the team at Epilepsy Bereaved in Wantage. I know from working with the charity that they have not only had an impact on national and international research and clinical practice, but the core to their work has been support to ordinary people whose lives have been devastated by SUDEP including many families in Oxfordshire.”

Meanwhile, the founder of the charity Beer for the Boys has been listed among the Queen’s birthday honours.

Wing Commander Steve Chadwick, who is based at RAF Brize Norton and currently away on a six-month tour in Afghanistan, will receive an OBE.

He has been recognised for his outstanding leadership and professional effectiveness, while employed as Officer Commanding 216 Squad-ron at the base.

But he was also praised for single-handedly raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Beer for the Boys was the brainchild of Wng Cmdr Chadwick. He started the campaign in 2007 with the aim of giving a free can of beer to every serviceman and woman flying home from Afghanistan on RAF TriStar aircraft, which are operated by 216 Squadron.

Sgt Adrian Coomber, who is at the base and also Carterton’s deputy mayor, said: “I can’t imagine a more fitting way to thank our brave soldiers and airmen than to serve them a cold beer on the flight home to their families.”

Founder of the Oxford Concerto Orchestra, violin teacher Paul Davies, has been made an MBE.

The 82-year-old, from Benmead Road, Kidlington, has been at the helm of the orchestra since he established it 40 years ago with a £40 grant from the Musicians’ Union.

The orchestra’s purpose was to give its young members the opportunity to play the solo part in a concerto.

Mr Davies, educated at the Royal Academy of Music, said: “It’s nice to be recognised. A lot of its success was down to having the wonderful support of the committee and great co-operation from the schools.

“It’s the experience of playing and listening to music that I like and the thrill of hearing young people play so well.”

Dr Anthony Lewis, of Headington, co-founder of the Duckworth-Lewis method of resetting targets in interrupted cricket matches has been made an MBE.

FULL LIST OF COUNTY HONOURS

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

Prof Fergus Graham Burtholme Millar. Emeritus Camden Professor of Ancient History, University of Oxford, for services to Scholarship (Oxfordshire)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE CBE

Prof David Whyte MacDonald. Professor of Wildlife Conservation, University of Oxford, for services to Natural Sciences. (Witney, Oxfordshire) OBE

Dr Emma Barrett, Grade B1, Ministry of Defence (Oxfordshire)

Harriet Green, chief executive officer, Premier Farnell plc, for services to the Electronics Industry (Oxfordshire)

Nicola Jane Hanna. Director, Epilepsy Bereaved, for services to Families. (Wantage, Oxfordshire)

John Hudson. Senior Forestry Adviser, Department for International Development. (Chinnor, Oxfordshire)

Sylvia Beatrice Wear, right. Chief executive, RCV Charity. For services to Disabled People (Oxfordshire)

MBE

Paul Davies, for services to Music in Oxfordshire (Kidlington, Oxfordshire)

Julian Hoskins. Apprentice Training Co-ordinator, Science and Technology Facilities Council, for services to Engineering. (Didcot, Oxfordshire)

Dr Anthony John Lewis, for services to Mathematics and to Cricket. (Oxford, Oxfordshire)