Saigon Children's Charity honoured by the Queen
1 January 2004

I was delighted and honoured to be awarded the MBE in the New Year's honours list. This is a recognition by the Queen of the work of Saigon Children's Charity which I founded in 1992. Although officially the award goes to one person I have always regarded SCC as a team. It is a team made up of trustees, staff, volunteers and sponsors working together in a common cause, helping needy Vietnamese children escape from poverty through education. The award is an honour to us all.

I believe it is a fitting tribute that the achievements of Saigon Children's Charity should be honoured in this way. We have received the warmest praise from the Queen and I would like to thank the many kind friends who have written to congratulate us.

I note with especial interest that the whole England rugby team were awarded MBEs and feel flattered to be compared with them - albeit for very different reasons. I hope to meet them at the Palace!

Please continue to support us in the many ways you can. We have made a great start but much remains to be done. Saigon Children's Charity is in a privileged position with many generous friends all around the world and we value your loyal and constant support. We are grateful for your backing over the past eleven years which has enabled us to do what we have done and we thank you for the trust you have placed in us.

For our part we remain unswervingly committed to our cause. We, the trustees and staff, are looking at ways to expand our capacity and bring a brighter future to even more Vietnamese children. We recently moved to a new office which opens new opportunities and fired by this great award we look forward to the challenges and achievements in the years ahead.