TWO 'coppers' who made a million pounds for charity were among the county's celebrators in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, writes CATHERINE SHOVLIN.

Inspector Ron Davies and former DC Grenville Smith received MBEs for their Jailbreak fundraising phenomenon organised from Hereford Police Station.

The MBE was also awarded to Reginald French for his services as chairman of Herefordshire Group Training Association and Ernie Kay for Offa's Dyke work. Joan Laing was recognised with an OBE for her commitment to the British Red Cross.

Last summer saw organisers Ron and Grenville mark the 11th and final Jailbreak by smashing the million-pound Millennium target they had set.

Although the summer event will not take place this year, their recognition in the New Year's Honours ensures that the impact their charity work has had on the county is not forgotten.

It became one of the most successful fund-raising activities in the country. At 2000's farewell Jailbreak Ron and Grenville announced that £1,065,000 had been made over the 11 years.

Ron and Grenville held the first Jailbreak as a 'one-off' to raise money for breast cancer screening. It proved so popular that it carried on for more than a decade.

It became a true community cause, bringing together hundreds of people who were prepared to be dropped off at mystery destinations, often in fancy dress, and make their way back to Hereford completing tasks along the way with just a few pence in their pocket.

Those to benefit from the charity's cash include County Air Ambulance, the County Hospital's haematology department, breast cancer care, Macmillan and Marie Curie nurses, Headway, Shopmobility, Martha Trust, Herefordshire's Meningitis Trust and Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Eye Hospital and a new diabetes centre at the County Hospital.

Time has still to tell whether when Ron and Grenville will revive Jailbreak after a well-earned 'breather'. But one thing is certain - it will never be forgotten.

q The MBE is a timely reward for Reginald French who is also celebrating 25 years as the Herefordshire Group Training Association's chairman and the organisation's award of Education and Training Best Practice and Chamber of Commerce Best Training Provider titles.

His length of voluntary service has been unmatched by any other Group Training Association chairman across the country.

He became chairman in 1972 shortly after moving to the county to take up a post as managing director of Mifflin Constructions, of Leominster.

His passion and commitment for training was sparked by his own positive experience as an apprentice at a manufacturing firm in Rugby.

During his period of office with the association, which he has continued well into his retirement, he has overseen thousands of young people and mature workers gain skills that have boosted their confidence and benefited their employers.

Mr French's vision for training provision has enhanced the county's industrial and commercial world, bringing together major employers in the area. When he joined, the association was very small employing only a handful of people and working from an office given to it by Thorn Lighting at Rotherwas. Now it is based in a modern centre off Holmer Road and has a team of 23 staff.

His dedication to the association has ensured that not only does it provide quality training at its base, but that employers have seen the need to provide in-house services to staff.

q Services to the development of Offa's Dyke and the Powys community was just reward for Ernie Kay who has worked tirelessly to promote the area since the 1960s.

His interest in the Welsh border was sparked by many holidays he and his late wife, Kathy, enjoyed there during breaks away from his work in London local government.

They joined a campaign led by Frank Noble, who similarly earned an MBE for his work, to open the Offa's Dyke long distance path and researched routes.

Since it opened in 1971, Mr Kay has written many publications on it and for the last 25 years has edited the Offa's Dyke Association's newsletter. He was the association's honorary general secretary until 1998.

Mr Kay and his wife finally moved to the Welsh Border on his retirement in 1990, living right on the path at Old Burfa, near Presteigne. He has since moved to Malvern, but is still passionate about the route.

He was a driving force behind the ambitious project for a new purpose-built Offa's Dyke Centre, which opened in 1999.

The MBE also recognises his contributions to life in Powys as a member of many organisations and committees and with brass band concerts in Knighton and arts events. He was behind the development of the Assembly Rooms in Presteigne.

Mr Kay is keeping up his tradition in Malvern of being busy for the community as a joint secretary of the West Midlands branch of the Elgar Society.

q Joan Laing, who lives near Leominster, was awarded the OBE for more than 45 years of voluntary work for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire branch of the British Red Cross.

As its president and chairman since 1996, she leads a band of 900 volunteers that help individuals and communities at home and overseas. She also serves on several national Red Cross Committees.

She started her work for the Red Cross in 1953. Early experiences included assisting in the Kenya Mau Mau and Hungarian troubles.

More recently she has been responsible for fund-raising initiatives and organising holidays and support for elderly and disabled people in the county.

Joan's leadership duties include overseeing support schemes for people returning home from hospital, a transport service for disabled people, medical equipment loans, first aid training, emergency services support and youth groups.

She returns from New Zealand this week with a whole host of friends and colleagues waiting to congratulate her.

Branch director Annie Bibbings said: "Joan's OBE is wonderful news and greatly deserved. She is a marvellous source of inspiration to volunteers and staff alike and a tremendous supporter of the branch's work."