RHN trustee awarded MBE

Mrs Jennifer Cooke, one of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability’s longest and most valued supporters has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to supporting people with neuro-disabilities.

Mrs Cooke, 76, who has been has been visiting the hospital since she was a child, joined the London Committee in 1959, while working as a fashion model for Dior.

She became chair in 1975, leading a team of volunteers for over 40 years, putting together bridge events and dinner dances at the hospital.

With Mrs Cooke leading on these activities, The London Committee have raised close to £1 million which has gone to fund important refurbishments, specialist equipment, wheelchairs and therapies, that have had a huge impact on the lives of so many patients at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

Mrs Cooke said,

“It was a nice surprise. I’m just a volunteer. Most people join a charity because they have a personal connection to a cause, a relative with cancer, for example. But I went in the opposite direction and chose something that was totally outside my orbit. I’ll keep going until I drop. I’ve got no intention of giving up.”

Chief Executive Paul Allen said,

“We are so pleased to hear that one of our long standing volunteers and former board member, Jennifer Cooke has been awarded an MBE for services to supporting people with neuro-disability. As the oldest independent charity hospital for people with brain injury in the UK, we rely on donations to provide vital rehabilitation and long term care for our patients. Many congratulations to Jennifer!”