East Lancashire people who have been named on the Queen’s honours list have paid a heartfelt tribute to the monarch who died today (September 8).
Dozens of people from the region have been named on the Queen’s New Years and Birthday Honours lists in recent years.
Banu Adam, from Blackburn, was honoured for her services to Mental Health Provision, particularly during Covid-19.
Banu founded Arts 2 Heal in 2016, on St James Street, and it provides a range of activities and learning sessions to address mental health issues.
Recently, the charity made a piece of artwork for the Queen in the style of Andy Warhol.
They spent the day “freshening up parts” as members "gathered in thoughts and prayers”.
Banu said: “Our members at Arts 2 Heal gathered today in thoughts and prayers of the Queen.
“We send our best wishes to the Royal family as they remain in our prayers.
“As a recent recipient of the BEM award, the significance of this honour feels even more greater at this sad time.”
Stephen Hutchinson, from Burnley, was awarded a British Empire Medal for voluntary service to young people in Lancashire.
He said: “I am extremely grateful to be recognised in Her Majesty’s birthday honours this year.
“It is wonderful to know that my service over many years has been appreciated.
“I want to send her family my heartfelt very best wishes at this time.”
Deborah Clark, founder and former chief executive officer of Community Solutions North West Limited was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Lancashire.
She set up the company in 2018 and remained there until the end of last year. She now works for Brave Church in Oswaldtwistle.
She said she is “really thankful” to have been part of the honours but sad that she will not be able to see her.
"I feel really emotional. Our Queen was a tremendous role model and gracious queen. An inspiring woman of great faith and integrity.
“It was such an honour to be awarded an MBE in her special birthday honours list earlier this year.
“Sending my condolences and prayers to the Royal family at this time"
Joanne Mohammed, from Blackburn, made the birthday honour list for her services to nursing and disability awareness, receiving a British Empire Medal.
Her tenacious dedication and commitment to finding opportunities for those who are deaf, or hard of hearing has made a profound and life changing impact in the health and care services.
Joanne herself is profoundly deaf, and has been since the age of six. She wears hearing aids and through COVID, identified barriers to engaging in virtual events.
After writing her seminal blog in 2018, she has found her voice and confidence to work with senior leadership, peers, and social media to build allies for sustainable change with peers across the nursing and healthcare communities.
She said: “It’s such a sad time and I am so upset and my thoughts are with the family. She was really inspirational to me.
“I am just grateful to have been recognised with the birthday honour.
“Given the sad news I am so happy that I was given the title during the jubilee year, it just makes it extra special.”
Blackburn’s Faz Patel MBE, who has spent decades helped hundreds of vulnerable people change their clocks forwards in the spring and backwards in the winter, said: "My sincere condolences on the passing of HM The Queen.
“She has truly served us with great pride and responsibility. Let’s all unite and mourn for the loss for a truly remarkable lady."
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