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11
Jun 2021
Harrogate district residents recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours
A number of district residents have received an award in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Lauren Doherty, from Knaresborough, has been awarded a BEM for her road safety charity after being left paralysed in a road accident.
Lauren Doherty has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours
Three Harrogate district residents have been recognised for their work locally in this year's Birthday Honours.
MBE - Member of the British Empire
Frances Helen Elliott, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to the Harrogate community during the pandemic in her roles as head of practical support services of Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP), and chief executive of Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA).
Louise Sarah Hodgson, from Pateley Bridge, has been made an MBE for her services to policing and recruitment during the pandemic in her role as head of workforce development at the College of Policing.
Ms Hodgson has worked for the College of Policing for 20 years after moving into the district. Previously a teacher, she has worked within several recruitment and training departments.
In six weeks, she helped develop and roll out an online assessment centre to ensure constable recruitment continued during the pandemic.
This system is now being used by all 43 forces.
She said:
"It was a massive surprise when I was told about the award, I was taken aback and shocked. Now having had time to let in sink in I'm incredibly proud and honoured to receive it. Of course it's not just me, it's my team too, who have worked so hard."
BEM - British Empire Medal
Lauren Amy Doherty, from Knaresborough, has been awarded a BEM for her services to education as the founder of the charity Road Safety Talks.
Ms Doherty has dedicated her life to speaking to young people and the emergency services about road safety after a road accident left her completely paralysed.
She tells schoolchildren across the country about her accident in 2008, when she was 20 years old, in hopes of encouraging them to be sensible and aware on the roads.
She has worked with North Yorkshire Police and the Fire Service on campaigns against drink driving and driving while using a phone.
She said:
"I was overwhelmed and excited when I found out. It's such an honour to be recognised by the Queen. Over the years I've spoken to 8,000 children in schools and many more over Zoom calls and in the media.
"After seeing the impact it had on my family and others around me I didn't want anyone else to go through it. If I can prevent it happening to one person that's all that matters."
Read more:
- Suzanne Bowyer wins her diamond prize after her work in the Ripon community was recognised
- Double organ transplant patient walks 850 miles for charity
QFSM - Queen's Fire Service Medal
Rose Elizabeth Fearnley, watch manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for distinguished service.
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