New Year Honours: Gareth Southgate and Kevin Whately among those recognised across North East
Rachel Bullock reports on the famous faces and unsung heroes from across the North East and North Yorkshire who have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours list
*includes pictures from Mr Bates and The Post Office, ITVX
A host of people from across the North East and North Yorkshire have been recognised in the King's New Year Honours List.
The list includes some celebrities and household names, but also those who have devoted their lives to serving their community with little or no fanfare.
The former England men's football manager Gareth Southgate becomes Sir Gareth, after leading the Three Lions to the finals of Euro 2020 and 2024, as well as the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup.
Sir Gareth, who lives in Harrogate, resigned after England’s 2-1 final defeat to Spain in July, having fallen just short of glory in every tournament during his eight-year stint.
During his playing career, the 54-year-old made 160 appearances for Middlesbrough and become the club captain in 2002.
He later went on to manage Boro from 2006 to 2009.
Meanwhile, Northumberland-born actor Kevin Whately, who starred in 'Inspector Morse' and 'Lewis', has received an OBE.
The 73-year-old made his big break when he landed the role of Neville in 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'.
He said: “I am grateful and delighted to be given this award, and I appreciate that actors can sometimes help to raise awareness and money for charities, but the full-time charity workers dedicate their lives to their causes, and every one of them deserves a medal.”
Meanwhile, also receiving OBEs are a number of leading subpostmaster campaigners who, along with Sir Alan Bates, led the fight for justice following the Horizon Post Office IT scandal. It saw hundreds of subpostmasters wrongly accused of stealing.
One of them is Lee Castleton, who ran a Post Office in Scarborough. He said it was "wonderful" to receive the honour and he is "very proud".
Another subpostmaster campaigner to get an OBE is Chris Head, who ran a branch in West Bolden near Sunderland. He described the recognition as a "huge honour".
Meanwhile, a Northumbria University academic who played a key role in bringing breakfast clubs and holiday activities to millions of children across the country has received an OBE.
Professor Greta Defeyter, Director of the Healthy Living Lab at Northumbria University, has said she is "delighted" and "astonished" by the recognition.
She has spent the last 20 years researching how meals and enriching activities can be, and are being, provided to millions of children across the UK through schools and community organisations.
Among the other people from our region to receive honours is Stuart Carlton, the Corporate Director of Children's Services at North Yorkshire County Council, who has been given a knighthood.
Meanwhile, Sarah Green, the CEO of the 'NewcastleGateshead Initiative' and Susan Jacques, the Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, both received OBEs.
Honours have also been given to those from our region who have dedicated their lives to charitable and voluntary work.
They include Patricia Brittain from Stockton, who is a retail volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service at James Cook Hospital. She receives an MBE.
Meanwhile MBEs have also been given to a number of foster carers, including Graham Carlisle from Houghton-le-Spring, and Caroline and Gordon McGough from Middlesbrough.
British Empire Medals (BEMs) have been awarded to some campaigners from our region, including Judith Brown from Middlesbrough for services to parents and carers of people with profound disabilities.
Also receiving a BEM is Sue Mountain from South Shields, for services to public health and supporting people to give up smoking.
The mum of three started smoking aged 11 and was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer at the age of 48 in 2012. The cancer then returned in 2015 and then again in 2017, but she is now cancer free.
Sue has shared her story of how she became addicted as a teenager, which led to her cancer diagnosis, as part of Fresh’s Smoking Survivors campaign, which is currently running on TV, radio, outdoor and digital channels encouraging people to make a fresh quit for the New Year.
She said: "When I agreed to take part I just wanted to help one person, but I know I've helped many more.
"I don't want anyone else going through what myself and my family went through, so that's what I'm passionate about helping people to stop smoking."
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