COMMUNITY heroes and a Bantams legend are among those from the Bradford district who have been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.
The district’s prestigious group are among the first to be honoured by King Charles III.
They have been made Members of the British Empire (MBE), Officers of the British Empire (OBE), Commanders of the British Empire (CBE) with three people receiving the British Empire Medal.
Former Bradford City player and manager Chris Kamara has been awarded an MBE for services to football, anti-racism and charity.
It caps off a year where the broadcaster, nicknamed Kammy, has spoken about a medical condition which affects his speech.
He revealed that he has apraxia of speech (AOS), a disorder that affects the way a person connects speech messages from their brain to their mouth.
Mr Kamara was initially diagnosed in October 2021 and went public about his condition in March this year.
He initially joined Bradford City as a player, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals during the 1994/95 season.
Mr Kamara then took over as manager at Valley Parade in 1995 until he left to join Stoke City as boss in 1998.
Meanwhile, another man who has dealt with health problems this year to receive an honour is a community stalwart from Bradford.
Shadim Hussain, who is the CEO of My Family Group CIC and involved in many projects across Bradford, suffered a stroke in June 2022. My Family helps recruit carers in Bradford and across England. He has been handed an MBE for services to equality and the foster care system.
Elsewhere, Professor David Lerner, 72, also known as Barney Lerner, has been given an MBE for services to the environment in the Bradford district.
He is chairman of the Friends of Bradford Beck (FOBB), a group which has worked tirelessly to re-naturalise a stretch of the Beck and help improve over two hectares of green space near Shipley.
A project was announced in April 2022 to create a new park on the outskirts of the town, and hopefully increase fish numbers in the waterway by 20 per cent.
Speaking about his honour, Professor Lerner said: “It’s great. It was a surprise. It was lovely.
“It’s great as we’ve been working hard on Bradford Beck for about 10 years now.
“It is good that someone has recognised that, but it is not just me, there is a team of people who work on the Beck project.
“I got an email at the end of November saying that I had been nominated and would I be willing to accept. That was the first I heard of it.
“I told my family about it at Christmas, but I swore them to secrecy. It will be quite nice to tell people.”
The boss of a Bradford-based theatre group for learning-disabled artists has also been honoured.
Julia Skelton, executive director of Mind The Gap, has received an MBE for services to theatre and to the community in Bradford.
Meanwhile, a business stalwart has been handed an OBE for services to business and the economy.
Sandy Needham, who headed up the Bradford, Leeds and York & North Yorkshire Chamber since leading the successful merger of the three Chambers in 2014, was handed the honour after retiring from the role in 2022 after 25 years’ service.
Another person to be honoured with an OBE is Helen Webb. During her career, she has worked as Chief People and Services Office at the Co-operative Society. She has been honoured for her services to equality, inclusion and wellbeing.
In the sporting world, Otley-born former world champion Lizzie Deignan, 34, has been made an MBE for services to cycling as she prepares to return to racing after becoming a mother for the second time.
Deignan said: “It’s a bit surreal. It makes you feel proud.
“To be recognised for services to cycling, it’s more than just a result. It will have a bit more longevity. When I’m 50 or 60 I’ll still have my MBE but my results will be long gone.”
Dr Yvette Oade, from Liversedge, has been handed a CBE for services to women in the NHS. She is regional medical director for NHS England’s North East and Yorkshire team.
Meanwhile, three people have been handed the British Empire Medal.
Marjorie Black, of Bradford, who is a Police Staff Community Assessor with West Yorkshire Police, has been honoured for services to policing and charity. John Proctor has been given the same award for services to the community in Farsley.
Margaret Webster has also been recognised for her work for the community in Scholes, Cleckheaton.
The British Empire Medal was set up in June 1917 and can be awarded for either meritorious service or for gallantry.
Meanwhile, members of the emergency services in West Yorkshire have been recognised in the Honour’s list.
The King’s Police Medal has been awarded to Russell Foster, deputy chief constable of West Yorkshire Police.
The work of two West Yorkshire fire officers to improve fire safety standards and firefighting nationally following the devastating Grenfell tragedy five years ago, has been given national recognition.
Reforms to fire safety were introduced earlier this year by the Government to strengthen fire and rescue services, putting most of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations into law.
Senior Fire Protection Manager Chris Kemp has played an instrumental part in bringing these measures to fruition.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) John Roberts has also been awarded with the King’s Fire Service Medal.
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