New Year’s Honours 2021: South Yorkshire mum named MBE among six awards

Claire Throssell, 48, of Penistone, has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of child victims of domestic violence since nine-year-old Paul and 12-year-old Jack were deliberately killed in a house fire started by their father in 2014.

Six months after her sons’ death she joined domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid as a child first survivor ambassador, helping bring about changes in the law which have kept children safe and saved many lives.

She said: “To receive this award is just amazing but it isn’t just for me – when I go down for this award I will be carrying everyone with me as well. It is as much for the community and for all the people who have highlighted how dangerous domestic abuse is.

“I started this to get Jack and Paul’s voices heard. I promised both of them that no other parent would have to do what I did and no other child would be hurt like they were.

“But we are not there yet. Jack and Paul have not been the last to be killed. Since then there have been six more children killed in South Yorkshire so it shows that we have still got so much to do.”

Also awarded the MBE was Brendan Warburton, 49, the head coach of Sheffield City Amateur Boxing Club for services to sport and the community in Sharrow.

Brendan has led the club since 2001, producing countless regional and national champions and playing a key part in shaping the lives of his young, often underprivileged, boxers.

He said: “I have been coaching boxing for nearly 20 years now and I’m not doing it to get awards or pats on the back but to be recognised for what I do is very nice.

“It certainly is a little bit of sunshine at the end of what has been a tough year for the club like it has for everyone else.

“The award also reflects the work that Sheffield city boxing club does in the local Sharrow area, an area that has had its problems over the last year or so.

“The club continues to provide something positive for young people in the area and that doesn’t happen without the commitment of all the coaches at the gym, all who are volunteers and give up their time to help, so I’d like to give a big thank you to them.”

80-year-old Margaret Roberts, from Sheffield, an examiner for the London Institute of Education and past president of the Geographical Association, is also made an MBE.

Margaret has exerted a profound influence on geography education internationally for more than three decades and is regarded as a leading voice, a brilliant communicator and someone who is synonymous with the idea of high-quality teaching.

She said: “When I received the email about the award I thought it was a scam and phoned the Cabinet Office to check! It was a complete surprise and I feel very honoured.”

And Hora Soltani, a professor of maternal and infant health at Sheffield Hallam University, who has dedicated more than twenty years of her career to improving care for mothers and babies across the world.

She said: “I have been so lucky to work with so many excellent researchers and healthcare professionals locally and internationally, who all have the same drive to reduce health inequalities and improve care standards and outcomes for all mothers and their babies, and without them, my work wouldn’t be possible.”

Two activists who have helped homeless people in Sheffield during the coronavirus crisis and beyond have also been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Nadeem Khan, 40, from Sheffield, a housing adviser for homelessness charity Shelter, has been unable to return home after travelling to Pakistan to visit relatives in early March, but has continued to work on behalf of his clients from a rooftop in Lahore ever since.

He said: “I am so proud to have played a frontline role in keeping people safe in their homes throughout this difficult year. Access to a safe home has never been more important, and I feel honoured to see my work, and the services that Shelter provides to people facing homelessness, recognised in this way.

“Even when I was stranded thousands of miles away in Pakistan in the first lockdown, I was able to support people back home during some of the hardest times in their lives.

"Working from my laptop on a rooftop in Lahore - the only spot where I could get a decent signal - was not what I thought I’d be doing. But I am grateful I could still do my job, and I could still help as the pandemic unfolded.”

And Zia Ul Khan, 30, from Sheffield, has been awarded the BEM for services to the community.

Zia is a volunteer for Muslim youth organisation An Nasiha, which raises money for worthy causes and provides support for disadvantaged people at home and abroad, including homeless people in Sheffield.

They have also helped challenge stereotypes about Muslims at events such as when they gave out roses and cupcakes to shoppers in Sheffield city centre to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

He said: “Aside from personal gratification one of the biggest reasons I have decided to help the most vulnerable in society is to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“He ordered us to ‘feed the hungry and visit the sick’ and not to discriminate one another based on race and appearance.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.