Community heroes in Yorkshire recognised in King's Birthday Honours

Some 83 people from across the breadth of the region are celebrated in the King’s Birthday Honours for 2026.

Among them, Lisette Van Riel, who has raised over £165,000 for dog charities, and Margaret Woods Scott, who founded charity T21 to help young adults with Down Syndrome.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them.

“Their dedication shows how lasting change is built – through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others,” he added.

“It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you.”

In this year’s honours Jill Webb, from Huddersfield, is made an MBE for services to Girlguiding after 30 years.

Then Stephen Leveson, who set up York Against Cancer in 1987, which has helped to raise over £22m for patients and their families. Innovations and research rooted here are also credited for improving survival rates and the quality of life for tens of thousands of people.

In Queensbury in Bradford, Leonard and Pamela Pattinson have been made an MBE for services to foster care.

The couple, over some 34 years, have looked after more than 100 children, and are recognised today for their endless “empathy, compassion, and love”.

They never declined a placement if they could help, citations read.

Now aged 80 and 82, they have five children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, in addition to the dozens more they helped look after who still call them “mum and dad”.

Mrs Pattinson said she had thought the letter, when it dropped through the door, had been a scam at first. She had set it aside for a full fortnight before reading it properly.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It’s quite an honour, you never think you’re going to get anything like that. We just do what we do and hope we’ve done it well.”

Dr Richard Vautrey is a Leeds GP, a partner at Meanwood Practice for the past 32 years, as well as serving on West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. As he is made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), he said it is “really humbling”.

“This is a recognition not just for me for my practice team at Meanwood, and all those in general practice who are often the unsung heroes of the NHS,” he said.

Dr Vautry has served as a past president of the Royal College of GPs, chair of the BMA’s GP committee, as well as an officer of Leeds Local Medical Committee for 25 years.

It has been hard keeping the honour a secret, he said, and he is looking forward to telling his parents and family.

Only his wife knows – she had picked up the post and thought the letter looked ‘official’.

Such an honour, he said, is an award for all GPs who go to work every day just to do the best they can: “This is a recognition that the nation does appreciate that.”

Soap star Lisa Riley, meanwhile, has said being recognised with a gong is the “best 50th birthday present”.

The Emmerdale actress, who celebrates her half century on July 13, has been made an MBE for services to drama and to charity.

She is among a raft of media and sporting stars from the region whose efforts have been recognised.

Ms Riley, best known for playing Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap, said: "To say I am humbled is an absolute understatement.

“To have been able to do my job as an actor for 36 years now, never having a day out of work in our industry, is an honour in itself.”

Riley, whose mother Cath died in her arms from pancreatic cancer, said she felt strongly about using her public profile to advocate for charities.

She said: “My platform has enabled me to be an ambassador for my chosen charities: Breast Cancer Now, Maggie’s Yorkshire, Sane and Sue Ryder.

“These charities, since losing my beloved mum Cath to cancer, have helped me at times of grief, when I personally needed them the most.

“So, giving back was the least I could do."

Also among those to be recognised are heritage and business leaders and sporting stars for their vision and commitment.

South Yorkshire's David Dalton, who retired in April as chief executive of British Glass, is made an MBE for services to the industry after serving 45 years.

He began his working life as an analytical chemist, and describes glass as "a lifelong passion" as he is credited with helping to build a sustainable future.

Lou Ellis-Frankland being, chief executive of Bradford-based manufacturer Mansfield Pollard, is made an MBE for services to the sector and employee wellbeing.

Then Paralympian Krysten Coombs, aged 35 and from Sheffield, is recognised for services to Badminton and to the Dwarf Sports Association.

His enthusiasm is credited with increased participation in the sport, while he is honoured for "unwavering" commitment to supporting others with dwarfism to reach their potential.

Richard Morris, aged 36 and also from Sheffield, is also recognised for services to sport and disabled people.

With little funding in badminton, he had coached the GB Para Badminton squad for six months without payment until players could receive UK Sport funding.

Volunteer Alan Parker, in Hull, is awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Rugby League Football and to the community and Former Wakefield great Neil Fox, 87, is made a CBE for services to his sport and the community in West Yorkshire.

Nigel Wood, chairman of the Rugby Football League and RL Commercial, commented: “Neil’s astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in Rugby League.

"It is almost unimaginable today to think that Neil played more than 800 professional games,” he pointed out.

He added: “Nearly half-a-century after his glorious career drew to a close, still no one has yet got close to his all-time scoring record of 6,220 points.”