Yorkshire charity, business and sport heroes recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee has been appointed OBE in the King's Birthday Honours.The double Olympic gold medal winner, who announced his retirement from the sport in late 2024, has been recognised for services to triathlon and to charity.The 37-year-old athlete took gold at London 2012 before defending his title in Rio four years later, with Brownlee calling the OBE a "great privilege".He is one of a number of people being recognised for a range of achievements, charity work, fundraising or community involvement across Yorkshire.
Brownlee, originally from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said: "No one goes into triathlon as an eight-year-old kid to get this kind of recognition, but it's absolutely fantastic."I had a career that I'm very proud of and was very literally a childhood dream."A world champion in 2009 and 2011, Brownlee is the only triathlete to be crowned junior world champion, U23 world champion, European champion and Olympic champion.Discussing his work with the Brownlee Foundation charity, he said: "I am really proud of the role hopefully I've had in inspiring thousands of children to get into sport and live healthier lifestyles."
Among those receiving knighthoods in the King's Birthday Honours is Sheffield-based Peter Lauener.Sir Peter is the former chief executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency and a former board member at the Department for Education.Paul Tarn, from Barnsley and chief executive officer of Delta Academies Trust, has also been appointed Knights Bachelor for services to education.Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie is appointed CBE.Harrogate-based Ms Currie has led the bakery firm since 2022 and has been honoured for her contributions to the hospitality industry.
Sophie Maxwell, from Sheffield, founded The Really NEET Project to support young people not in education, employment or training.She has been appointed MBE, along with Fiona Martin, the founder of the Leeds-based Friends of Alfie Martin charity, and Gillian Caine, for services to scouting and helping those with diabetes in West Yorkshire.Also appointed MBE is Dr Amanda Wilcox, who was pro-vice-chancellor at York St John University between 2018 and 2022 and led the university's response to the Covid pandemic."I am delighted and honoured to receive this recognition for my work in higher education, a sector within which I am wholly committed and hugely proud," she said."This means such a lot to me - not just the award, but that colleagues took time to make a submission."
Dr Lesley Schatzberger, the founder of the York-based charity Jessie's Fund, has also been appointed OBE.The charity was established in 1995 and helps children with serious illness, complex needs and communication difficulties through the therapeutic use of music.Jessie's Fund was named after nine-year-old Jessie George, who died in 1994 after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.Inspired by Jessie's love of music, she set up the charity after her daughter's death to offer music therapy to children in hospices across the UK.
Those being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) include Becky Malby, from Ilkley.Ms Malby, a co-founder of the Ilkley Clean River Group and chair of the Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group, has been recognised for her contribution to river cleanliness and the local community.Lois Calvert, a manager for North Yorkshire Council, said she was "shocked and overwhelmed" when she received a letter informing her of a BEM."I just couldn't believe it," she said."I didn't cry but I was close to tear - it was a massive shock that someone had nominated me for the honour."
Mrs Calvert, who lives in County Durham, supported a government numeracy programme and helped thousands of people gain new skills in the region. Also receiving a BEM is Zarith Nasa Hussain, who is being recognised for his services to cricket in Bradford, and Valerie Hoyle, who has pushed the development of women's football in Rotherham for more than 50 years.
Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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