BRADFORD’S community heroes who have dedicated their lives to helping others are among those to be recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The recipients form a diverse group consisting of people rewarded for their tireless charity and humanitarian work, their commitment to business, politics, and education, and their role in West Yorkshire’s emergency services.

The honours system recognises people who have made significant contributions to public life and excelled in serving and helping British society.

Chief Superintendent Maboob Hussain is to receive an MBE for his services to West Yorkshire Police and his charity work.

He is the most senior ranking Muslim officer across Yorkshire and the Humber and has a particular focus on mental health, securing £210,000 to pilot a mental health triage scheme in 2013 which has since helped prevent unnecessary arrests taking place under the Mental Health Act.

Ch Supt Hussain, 44, of Pudsey, said he hoped to “fly the flag” for BME professionals, multiculturalism, and tolerance in Britain.

He said: “I’m a proud Pakistani, a proud Bradfordian, a proud Briton.

“Dad and mum hardly spoke any English when they came over, but they still managed to foster strong values, community, and education into me and my siblings.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my family, particularly my wife.”

Ch Supt Hussain added that he believed in a mantra of mentoring to foster a culture of trust and rehabilitation.

He said: “This award gives other people opportunity and hope. It’s important to have role models. I inspire to achieve.

“Glass ceilings exist but it’s our opportunity to smash through them, but you need that guidance.”

Also receiving an MBE is Dorcas Olayemi Amusan-Fagborun, 60, chief executive of Peacemakers International, who goes by the nickname ‘Yemi’.

She has lived in Bradford since 1991, with all her children educated in the city, and was nominated for her services to community cohesion and women and girls’ rights.

Across the past 40 years, Mrs Amusan-Fagborun has worked to champion the interests of African and ethnic minority communities in Bradford and beyond.

She said: “I have a philosophy that nobody will come to me crying and go back crying. I cannot withstand injustice and it does not matter whom it happens to or who the perpetrator is. Seeing many people suffering unjustly, to me, is disheartening.”

Mrs Amusan-Fagborun has used her own personal hardship to inspire others and bring a voice to those who would otherwise be silent.

She is a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM) and her experience has provided the basis for much of her campaigning, culminating in the formation of the Bradford-based Peacemakers International charity.

The organisation supports survivors of domestic violence and abuse, and in 2015, Mrs Amusan-Fagborun spoke out about the need for a bigger commitment to funding.

Her influence is said to have been pivotal in Bradford becoming the UK’s second ‘City of FGM Zero Tolerance’.

She said: “FGM is very difficult for survivors, and the community, to talk about. Survivors don’t want to talk about it because there is no specialist support.

“The practising community is a big community in the UK, making it not easy to eradicate.

“Many parents thought they could do it for their children secretly because of taboos attached to it. Many people still see it as an attack on their culture by the Western World.

Giving her thoughts on receiving the award, Mrs Amusan-Fagborun said: “It’s good for the whole of the city, not just me as an individual.

“I will continue to make sure that people I come across reach their full potential regardless of their race or ethnicity.”

Others receiving MBEs in the list include Professor Vincent Gaffney, of the landscape archaeology department of the University of Bradford, who is recognised for his services to scientific research.

Two public officials serving Calderdale are also given the honour, Councillor Timothy Swift, rewarded for this services to local government and regeneration, and Dominic Furby, a former assistant district commander with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who was praised for his charity work.

John Kirkby, 56, from Shipley, is to receive a CBE in recognition of his founding of Christians Against Poverty (CAP) based in Bradford.

With his new-found faith and a background in the credit industry, Mr Kirkby started CAP in 1996 as a way of helping families in his home city.

The national charity now supports thousands of the poorest households right across the UK fight debt, find work, be released from life-controlling habits, and gain new life skills to manage their money, all through a growing network of church-based centres.

Mr Kirkby said: “I am absolutely bowled over to be receiving such an honour and it just shows what God can do.

“Just over 20 years ago, I found myself with a background in the finance industry and yet had struggled with crippling debt problems myself. I knew what it was like to see your life come crashing down and I wanted to make a difference.

“Around that time, someone said to me, ‘what can you do, just as you are, right now?’ and I went home and wrote on my computer the words: ‘debt counselling’, so started Christians Against Poverty and what a journey we’ve been on.

“I’d like to dedicate this to all our incredible supporters and volunteers, staff and clients. I hope that it also shows what God can do with one ordinary bloke from Bradford who meets an extraordinary God and says, ‘yes’.”

Dionne Collins, chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, receives a CBE for her services to policing and the British Association of Women in Policing, and Stuart Smith, Calderdale’s director for adults and children’s services, receives an OBE for his services to children.

Also receiving an OBE is Bradford businessman Jack Tordoff, chairman of JCT600 Ltd, in recognition of his services to business and to the community in West Yorkshire.

Mr Tordoff built JCT600 from a single dealership on Sticker Lane in Bradford into one of the largest privately owned businesses in the UK, and the £1.222 billion turnover family firm has become one of the best known brands in Yorkshire and beyond, now employing a team of 2,200 people.

Roger Mason Charnley, 82, is to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to business and the community in his hometown of Burley-in-Wharfedale.

On hearing the news, he said: “I’m flattered that so many have taken the trouble to support the submission, I’m really touched by it. I’m not sentimental, but I was almost moved to tears on the support that was forthcoming on my behalf.

“It was right out of the blue. You could have knocked me down with a feather when I got the letter – wow, just wow!My wife and I are as pleased as punch and can’t wait for the Royal Garden Party.”

The award focuses on his work in Burley, but Mr Charnley formerly acted as secretary of the British Wool Foundation in Bradford before moving to Lincoln in 1990 where he became chief executive at the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He came back to his hometown of Bradford for retirement, but a series of events led to him co-founding the Burley and District Chamber of Trade (BADCOT) in 2002.

Mr Charnley was a treasurer at the local Burley Theatre Group, but in 2002 Yorkshire Water closed the town’s main street for four months, which led to a loss of trade for many businesses as well as the theatre having to cancel its pantomime.

He said: “It sparked me straight away and it took off from there really.”

Through BADCOT, many local businesses were able to negotiate compensation in the wake of the road closure.

He said: “I am a team player, I see this as a reflection on BADCOT, we had a good committee.”

Mr Charnley’s community work also saw him take over the organising of the town’s Christmas market in 2003, running it for more than a decade in 2016.

Despite stepping down from the role, he admits to still helping behind the scenes of the event, which regularly attracts more than 2,500 visitors.

He said: “We can’t just rely on old people. I’m not saying there’s no young people involved but we need more. A lot do but an awful lot don’t.”

Also receiving a BEM, for her services to the community in Hirst Wood, Shipley, is Pauline Bradley-Sharp, 71, secretary of the Hirst Wood Regeneration Group.

She has been described as the “driving force” behind the group for the past decade, helping it achieve its aims of protecting nature in the local area.

Last year, the group adopted a patch of canal, which is said was aimed as “giving ownership to the community.”

Mrs Bradley-Sharp has also played an integral role in projects such as the establishment of a community orchard, a free library of children’s books, and community clean-ups providing rehabilitation work for young offenders.

Her extensive charity work, coupled with her “energy and vision”, is said to have contributed to Hirst Wood developing into a thriving residential and recreational area.

Also receiving BEMs are Kathryn Gower, for services to the community in Cross Roads with Lees and Haworth, and Shirley Yates, for services to the community in Calderdale.

Chief Superintendent Paul Money, of West Yorkshire Police, receives the Queen’s Police Medal, with Ian Walton, deputy director of operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust given the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.

Receiving the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch or their representatives, is Kevin Sharp, clerk to the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy.

Each recipient will be invited to an investiture ceremony at a royal residence, usually Buckingham Palace, where they will receive their award personally from The Queen, or another member of the Royal Family.