Inspirational NI sportswomen lead field in King’s New Year Honours List

BBC broadcaster Hugo Duncan, Olympic hero Hannah Scott and ambulance chief Michael Bloomfield are among the big names on the King’s Northern Ireland New Year Honours List.

Mr Duncan and Ms Scott have been made MBEs, while Mr Bloomfield has been given an OBE.

There are also honours for jazz musician Linley Hamilton and victims’ advocate Eric Brown, both of whom become MBEs, along with former Northern Ireland football captain Marissa Callaghan.

Ivan Black, who has raised more than £700,000 for cancer charities, also becomes an MBE, as does two-time Paralympics boccia player Claire Taggart.

Duncan (74) dedicated his honour to his late mother, who raised him as a single parent.

“She would have had a lot to go through in those days, and probably a lot of things said about her,” the presenter said.

“But she kept me, and she reared me and I’m here today and that’s one of the reasons that I want to accept this honour. It’s me saying: ‘Ma, we didn’t do too bad. I just want to say thank you, Ma.”

Olympic rowing champion Scott, who was part of the Team GB women’s quadruple scull crew that won a dramatic Olympic final in Paris during the summer, said she hoped it would inspire young girls to stick with sport.

“I’m proud, it’s a very nice surprise,” she said.

“Hopefully more young girls can realise that there’s actually some legitimacy in doing sport, especially growing up and staying within whatever they’re passionate about, whether that be volleyball, hockey, rowing or running.

“It can lead you down some really cool journeys and paths, and that’s what I’ve been experiencing.”

Ambulance Service chief executive Mr Bloomfield, who is to retire in March after almost four decades working in the public sector, said the award was a “great honour”.

He added: “This is a recognition of the commitment of so many people I have worked with, in a range of roles, over many years. The delivery of health and social care requires the contribution of a wide range of teams and collaboration with partner organisations, and I am fortunate to have worked with many dedicated individuals and teams over the years.

“I would pay particular tribute to my team in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, who provide amazing care in the most challenging circumstances, and who it has been my privilege to lead over the past seven years.”

Ms Callaghan receives her award at the end of a year in which she stepped down from the role as skipper of the international team.

She said she took pride in the surge in popularity of the women’s game here.

“I work for the Irish FA, and I’ve seen it on the ground that whenever Northern Ireland qualified for the Euros, so many young girls wanted to start playing the game,” the Cliftonville Ladies midfielder (39) said.

“And there’s been a huge increase — we’re talking probably 600% increase — in girls playing football, and a massive part of that was us being so successful.”

Nathan Chambers, a Red Cross volunteer from Enniskillen, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his 25-plus years supporting his local community.

He said: “I got the letter in the post but it was definitely a shock.

“But it’s nice to be recognised. I thought it was a letter about jury service.

“I got an official looking letter and my wife said: ‘I bet you have to do jury service over Christmas’. I couldn’t believe it when I realised what the letter was really about.”

He joined up after being a victim of the Enniskillen bombing in 1987, but news of the award came as a surprise.

“I learnt first aid and then I was told it might be a good idea to join the Red Cross to keep my skills up to date, because it’s something you lose if you don’t do it regularly,” he said.

As a volunteer group leader for almost 30 years Nathan inspires his team of 10 as they respond to floods, fires and fatal incidents.

“Our work has expanded so there’s a lot we can do in emergency situations,” Nathan said.

He is also known locally for transporting nurses and care workers to vulnerable people in remote rural areas in the winter months.

“Our essential services are greatly strained at the minute, so anything you can do to help is really worthwhile,” he added.

He has raised £10,000 for a new Red Cross ambulance.

“Anybody that volunteers knows how rewarding it is — it shows you the huge impact you can make on the local community,” he said.

Gerard Gribbon gets an MBE for his own role in changing lives. At the age of 10 he joined the Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps.

He said: “It’s an absolute privilege, getting the letter was one of the best days of my life.”

He achieved the highest rank within the order, becoming a knight.

He added: “I joined as a child, so volunteering was something that I’ve always done.”

Over the past 28 years he has also provided a home for more than 40 children through fostering.

In 1998 he became president of his Rotary Club, helping build 170 homes in the Philippines.

“I’m so grateful to be able to help families out there,” Gerard said.

A large part of his life is devoted to Alcoholics Anonymous.

For the past 50 years he has travelled throughout the UK and Ireland providing counselling and inspiration to recovering addicts.

“Volunteering is brilliant. It shows you how much you can help people and you get a lot of satisfaction from that,” he added.

Joanne Marie Fitzpatrick is to receive an MBE. She has spent her professional life fostering peace and reconciliation through sport with PeacePlayers.

She also oversees a partnering project for primary schools in Belfast, implementing programmes to foster good relations between the two main traditions.

In 2007 she co-founded the Down Vikings Basketball Club.

She has also sought to break down barriers and stigmas around women’s participation in sport.

Separately from her role at PeacePlayers, she supported the Irish Special Olympics basketball team as a coach for young people with special needs.