Former Sheffield MEP Linda McAvan gets an OBE in New Year’s Honours list

Linda McAvan has been awarded an OBE for charitable and political services.

Linda, 57, was a Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Yorkshire and the Humber from 1998, until her resignation on April 19 2019.

She said: “When I got the news I was surprised - I wasn’t expecting it at all. I am very pleased and honoured and would like to thank those who have nominated me.”

As an MEP she was Chair of the International Development Committee (DEVE) responsible for development aid and humanitarian aid.

Each year Linda chooses a different international project that benefits women and girls.

As chair of the European Parliament’s International Development Committee, she saw first-hand the importance the role of education can have in helping women and young girls out of extreme poverty.

Since 2006 she has helped raise more than £80,000 for international development projects and charities through a series of fundraising international women’s day lunches and dinners.

She said: “It started when we raised money for women who were damaged in childbirth in Ethiopia so they could have hospital treatment to help repair the damage they had suffered. Then we raised money for farms in other African countries, always concentrating on women and children as our focus.

“This honour is not just for me it is for all the women all around the area who have given me support over the years.”