A number of men and women from Brighton and Hove have been recognised by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours List.
They include Brighton hospitals boss Marianne Griffiths, who becomes a dame, for her service to the NHS.
And former Longhill schoolboy John Volanthen, who has been awarded the George Medal for gallantry for his key role in the rescue of 12 boys from a cave complex in Thailand.
Children’s author and former Brighton school teacher Julia Donaldson, creator of the Gruffalo, has become a CBE for services to literature.
And Brighton illustrator Chris Riddell – also a cartoonist for the Observer newspaper – has been made an OBE for services to Illustration and charity.
The honours list also recognises people From Brighton and Hove involved in public service and helping people overseas.
Peter Nigel Boorman, from Portslade, becomes an OBE for services to emergency response.
Mr Boorman is the regional lead for emergency preparedness, resilience and response in NHS England for London.
Chris Berry, from Brighton, has been made an MBE for services to developing education in Sierra Leone.
Dr Berry works as a senior education adviser at the Department for International Development.
Sylvia Jean Holder, from Hove, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to education in Kovalam, India.
And John Kenealy, from Hove, has also been awarded the BEM for services to policing. He was a police officer in the Metropolitan Police.
A long-serving Brighton volunteer rewarded by the Queen for her work at Blind Veterans UK in Ovingdean.
Joan Osborne, 91, of Lustrells Crescent, Saltdean, started volunteering with the charity – then known as St Dunstan’s – more than 70 years ago.
Her father was blinded in the First World War and her husband was blinded in the Second World War.
Mrs Osborne has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary service to ex-service personnel.
Her citation described her as the veterans’ bowls club co-ordinator for Blind Veterans UK.
It also said: “She has dedicated her time in support of Blind Veterans UK for over 70 years.
“She ran, with her husband, the weekly Brighton Club, a social club open to all members who live locally, from 1953.
“She has continued to run this club and the affiliated Lawn Bowling Club after her husband’s death, organising fixtures and scheduling matches.
“Through these clubs she has encouraged blind veterans all over the country who come to stay at the centre to be involved in activities which build confidence, encourage socialisation and activity, regardless of age.
“Additionally she arranges bowls matches with local sighted bowlers in the community and organises lunches and drinks.”
A lady, who devotes virtually her entire life, 70 years, to volunteering to helping blind veterans, gets a BEM. Yet someone, who do works, for a decade or less, and showbizzy types, get Knighthoods?
How much more, does a lady like this have to do, to get proper recognition?
Completely agree with you. The whole thing is a joke.
Exactly. Harry Kane? I’m a Spurs fan, but really? I’m disappointed, I helped an old lady across the road last week. Surely an OBE?
Yes… And where is Arsene Wengers recognition? If Fergie is a sir… Surely it must be. Lord Wenger.