Nod to Yorkshire's community heroes from bus drivers to postal workers in Queen's birthday honours

There is a distinct sense of awe from a legion of volunteers whose efforts have been recognised by the Queen with the noblest of thanks.

Among them are bus drivers and fitness instructors and council workers who worked tirelessly to deliver shopping or to light up someone’s day with a smile.

They just did what little they could under lockdown, said retired Finningley postmistress Bridget Clark, to ease the burden upon the most vulnerable and isolated in society.

“I’m very humbled,” said Mrs Clark, 71, awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community, having supported 75 elderly people with treat bags and care packages through lockdown and beyond.

“There has been an outpouring of people wanting to do something for somebody else, to make their lives a little easier. I just wanted to make people smile.”

Marie-Ann Jackson, head of Stronger Communities at North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), has been made an MBE for services to the community, having galvanised community action and working night and day to coordinate relief efforts with 23 groups and 1,800 volunteers.

Then there are the local leaders, who helped to set up those groups to deliver hot meals, prescriptions, and telephone buddy systems, such as Doncaster’s Samantha Siddall and Dinnington’s Jane Havenhand, awarded MBEs for services to the community.

In Bradford, Michael Chin-Chan has been recognised with a BEM for charitable service after raising money for PPE by running every day during Ramadan.

The retired sergeant major, known as Abu Aisha, served for 22 years in the same regiment as Captain Sir Tom Moore and said he was inspired after seeing the centenarian’s pursuits.

“I’m delighted, but I haven’t done anything which should get an award,” insists the 64-year-old.

“I was wondering why the NHS didn’t respond to my letter,” he added, astonished. “I guess this is a much bigger thank you.”

British Empire Award

There are a good number of people awarded the BEM, in recognition of their efforts.

A bus driver in Barnsley, Paul Billam, lifted spirits by delivering surprises and sweet treats for families to their doorsteps.

In Boston Spa, 73-year-old Ray Schofield set up cardiac rehabilitation classes for the elderly, launching exercise classes online, while in Northallerton, Nigel Smith led a team securing early testing for frail care home residents across North Yorkshire.

Robert Hodgson, in Stokesley, has been honoured for services to the NHS after turning over part of the factory at Labman Automation to make visor face masks for the NHS, rallying 161 volunteers to make 250,000 masks in just 37 days, serving six hospitals.

Grandfather Mustafa Koksal, a bus supervisor for First Group in York, clocked up 750 hours of volunteering in his first month on furlough, doing shopping for the elderly and isolated.

Some days the father of five, known as Chris, would be supporting four families, and was once stopped at a store after three trips within two hours.

“They told me I didn’t have to queue,” said Mr Koksal. “I’ve never done so much shopping. I like meeting people, and talking to people, and hearing their life stories. I am very happy. It was rewarding, every day.”

'Dunkirk spirit'

Recognition from the Queen serves to honour the region’s ‘Dunkirk spirit’, a Sea Cadet leader from Scarborough has said, as he’s awarded an MBE for services to the community.

Lieutenant Gareth Davies, 42, who trained operatives for testing stations and hosted social events online for hundreds of youngsters, said he is “overwhelmed” at the honour.

“Through lockdown, there was still the human spirit in how we come together,” said the father of two. “I still don’t think I deserve anything. I was doing what I thought was right, a lot of people did what they thought was right.

“One of the best things to come of all this is that Dunkirk Spirit, that proves there’s a lot of good people out there.”

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Thank you

James Mitchinson