Bradford area's best lauded in King's New Year Honours list

Batley man Mubarak Mahmed, wellbeing and engagement co-ordinator for First Bus North and West Yorkshire, was awarded with a BEM for services to mental health.

Mubarak Mahmed or First Bus received a BEM. (Image: UGC)

Mr Mahmed, who is affectionately known as Mubs by his colleagues and sometimes works at the Bradford depot, said: “I started out as a bus driver with First Bus in 2015, so I know how important it was to support the wellbeing of our key workers at the height of the pandemic.

"This is a heavily male-dominant environment and there is stigma about mental health. I helped the company develop a people-centric approach that First Bus has truly embraced.”

Andy Cullen, managing director of First Bus in North and West Yorkshire, said: “We’re hugely proud of Mubs and the recognition he has received for his outstanding contribution to watching over the mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues during a critical time.

“Mubs not only helped our drivers and others to cope with the pressures of the pandemic, but his ideas have shaped a new way we approach support for mental health. He is a champion of workplace wellbeing at First Bus.”

Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield received CBEs. (Image: UGC)

Former Leeds Rhinos teammates, Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, were each awarded a CBE for services to Motor Neurone Disease awareness.

Sinfield and Burrow have raised over £15million to combat Motor Neurone Disease through a series of challenges since Burrow was diagnosed in 2019.

“I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again,” said Sinfield.

“The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it.”

Burrow said: “I am honoured to receive the CBE on behalf of the MND community.

“It's always pleasing to have another opportunity to bang the drum for the whole community and ensure those living with MND are remembered, especially at this time of year.

“I am particularly pleased my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE.”

MND Association chief executive Tanya Curry said: “Through their friendship, they have been instrumental in changing the landscape for the motor neurone disease community.

“Together they have galvanised a nation, ensuring that more people than ever before understand what MND is, and how it affects people’s lives.”

Author Jilly Cooper was made a Dame. (Image: PA)

Author Jilly Cooper, who grew up in Ilkley, said she is “incredibly bowled over” after being given a damehood in the New Year Honours list.

The 86-year-old author and journalist of steamy fiction was honoured for services to literature and to charity. She is chiefly known for her Rutshire Chronicles, which focus on scandal and adultery in upper class society.

Dame Jilly said: “I am absolutely and incredibly bowled over. I cannot believe I am a DBE, which in my case also stands for delighted, bewildered and ecstatic.”

Sarah Goodall of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received a BEM. (Image: UGC)

Sarah Goodhall, watch manager at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, has been recognised with a BEM for services to fire and rescue.

Sarah has helped raise more than £2million for the Fire Fighters Charity in the past ten years.

By day (and night), Sarah is responsible for a team who receive 999 calls, mobilise fire engines and provide support to emergency incidents.

She said: “When I received the notification of the award from the Home Office, I didn’t believe it was for me and had to read it several times. I was in complete and utter shock.

“It’s so humbling to be recognised in this way and I feel elated and overwhelmed at the same time."

Richard Isaac of Northern received a BEM. (Image: UGC)

Richard Isaac, community and sustainability manager at Northern Trains, received a BEM for services to inclusion in the rail industry.

He said: “It’s a great honour to be included in the King’s New Year Honours list 2024. Although I will receive this award, I feel it’s a reflection of Northern’s commitment to communities across the North.

He said over the last nine years he has been supported taking the firm's "rail agenda into the heart of the communities we serve".

Brighouse man Robert Duncan Beaumont, governor at Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College, Halifax, was awarded a MBE for services to school governance and to children and young people with special educational needs.

Pudsey woman Lesley Ann Hastings was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Leeds.

Richard Bottomley, who is headteacher at Bradford Alternative Provision Academy, was recognised with a MBE for services to vulnerable children and young people.