A 92-year-old woman, Betty Brown from Consett, County Durham, has expressed that her OBE award symbolizes acknowledgment for all postmasters who suffered in the Post Office scandal. Brown, a victim of the faulty Horizon IT software, was honored in the New Year Honours List for her relentless advocacy for justice. Over 900 sub-postmasters faced wrongful prosecutions due to the software glitches causing discrepancies in branch accounts.
The inquiry into the scandal revealed that 59 victims contemplated suicide, with 10 attempting to end their lives, and it’s believed that 13 individuals may have died by suicide as a result of the turmoil they endured. Brown, who ran the Annfield Plain Post Office with her late husband Oswall, participated in the legal action against the Post Office led by Sir Alan Bates. She estimates that they lost approximately £100,000 to cover nonexistent shortfalls during their operation from 1985 to 2003.
This past Christmas marked the first time in 26 years that Brown could relax without worries after receiving compensation from a government scheme. In response to being awarded an OBE, Brown humbly stated that the honor was unexpected for an ordinary, hard-working person like herself. She emphasized that the award was dedicated to all the sub-postmasters who suffered in the scandal, highlighting the importance of the recognition.
Another notable figure, D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh, received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts in Holocaust remembrance and school talks. The 101-year-old shared his poignant experiences of meeting survivors at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during his military service. He stressed the significance of remembering history to prevent its repetition.
Among the distinguished individuals recognized in the honours list is Ellen Roome, who received an MBE for her advocacy on online safety following the tragic death of her son Jools. Roome has been advocating for legal changes to compel social media companies to provide children’s data to bereaved parents, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Ryan Riley, at 32, was awarded a BEM for establishing Life Kitchen, a charitable cookery school supporting individuals who lost their sense of taste and smell, inspired by his mother’s experience during chemotherapy. Riley expressed pride and gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the significance of such an achievement for a person from a humble background like his.
In addition, Serena Wiebe, 21, was honored with a BEM for her activism against knife crime and youth empowerment, motivated by personal tragedies involving her brother and friend. Wiebe emphasized the importance of acknowledging the support and influence of those who inspired her advocacy work, highlighting the memory of her brother and friend as driving forces behind her efforts.
Sandra Igwe, aged 36, received an MBE for her advocacy with the Motherhood Group to enhance maternal healthcare for black women, driven by her own challenging experiences during childbirth. Igwe expressed satisfaction in the recognition, emphasizing the impact of her work in improving healthcare services and advocating for marginalized communities.