HEALTH campaigner Mrs Jean Brett, who continues to fight to keep Harefield Hospital open, has been made honorary vice president of the Harefield Hospital patient charity Re-Beat Club - along with entertainer Barry Cryer.

Re-Beat is one of the two foremost charities that supports former Harefield Hospital patients.

The club decided that Mrs Brett, of Moneyhill Road, Rickmansworth, had worked so hard to save Harefield Hospital over the last two years that she deserved the accolade.

Barry Cryer, was also awarded the same honour for contacting the Heart of Harefield campaigners to offer his services while he himself was waiting for surgery.

Re-Beat Chairman Mr David Potter said: "This very special recognition has been made because of Jean and Barry's affinity and declared commitment and support to the hospital, its patients and its staff."

The only other person to be awarded an honorary vice presidency in Re-Beat's 11 years of existence is Mr Alun Rees - a cardiac surgeon at Harefield.

When she heard the news Mrs Brett said: " I am a bit lost for words. I feel thrilled but humbled. Its an absolute honour because I know of Mr Alun Rees. He is a brilliant surgeon who is much loved as well as respected. It makes me feel very humble to be put in the same category.

"But what we have in common is that I know Mr Rees loves that hospital and supports it as much as I do.

"Its touching that someone has been so thoughtful. It is such an honour and I am delighted and I know my husband will be as well.

"Its also wonderful about Barry Cryer. To phone us up to give us our support when he was waiting for an operation himself is so wonderful. That sort of unselfishness is the thing that keeps me going. I can't speak about him highly enough.

"I see this as a good omen for the campaign. I feel very moved."

May 16, 2002 14:00