A woman has been awarded the MBE for helping people who have fallen on hard times access toiletries.  

Karen Harvey, from Upwell, near Wisbech, set up the organisation Toiletries Amnesty in 2014 after she tried to donate unwanted products to a homeless shelter.  

The project grew significantly over the years and now provides products to over 800 charitable organisations in the UK and around the world. 

The items can be either brand new or already opened.  

Nothing is left to waste and her efforts divert thousands of products away from landfill or incineration.  

Upon hearing the news that she will receive an MBE, Karen said: “It feels a bit weird to be honest – stuff like this doesn’t happen to me.  

“I’ve been running Toiletries Amnesty for 10 years now and every year has become more difficult because we’ve needed to reach more people.  

“If you look at our growth, we’re very successful.  

“But if you look at things from a different perspective this is because poverty has now become so prevalent.” 

Last year, Toiletries Amnesty helped 4m people compared with 2.25m in 2022. In 2021, they reached 250,000.  

Karen said: “A women’s refuge will happily take a bottle of shampoo or perfume. It doesn’t matter if it has already been opened, or not.  

“Brands also offer us pallets and pallets of their products they no longer want for example, and yes, we will take it. 

“We then pass them to organisations that will certainly make good use of them.” 

The King’s Birthday Honours list was released at the weekend.  

It included heroes from across Cambridgeshire awarded for their contributions to society, their communities or their areas of work.    

David Stazicker, from Mepal, was also featured as he is being awarded the BEM for his services to the community in Ely, Cambridgeshire.   

David Stazicker is being awarded the BEM for his services to the community in Ely, Cambridgeshire.David Stazicker is being awarded the BEM for his services to the community in Ely, Cambridgeshire. (Image: David Stazicker) Since retiring in 1997, he has continued to use his legal and administrative background to benefit various organisations and community groups.  

Among them includes serving as the Honorary Secretary of Cambridgeshire Historic Churches between 2009 and 2021.   

Mr Stazicker retired from the role when he turned 80 and remains involved with the organisation.  

Upon hearing the news he had been featured in the King’s Birthday Honours list, Mr Stazicker said: “I was surprised and baffled when I first heard the news.   

“I have a legal and administrative background which I have put to use in various roles over the years – but I didn’t think any would ever qualify for this.   

“This is such an honour.”   

Meanwhile, the OBE was awarded to Stephen Johnson-Proctor, a regional director for the East of England Probation Services based out of Cambridgeshire.  

Nick Dean, the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, is to receive the King’s Police Medal.Nick Dean, the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, is to receive the King’s Police Medal. (Image: Cambridgeshire Constabulary) Nick Dean, the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, will receive the King’s Police Medal for his distinguished service.     

He said: “Although this recognises my policing service of nearly 32 years, it is testament to all those people who have supported me throughout my career. 

“It is really humbling to be recognised in such a prestigious way and I continue to be very proud of being part of the policing family here in Cambridgeshire.”