Recognition for UK coronavirus heroes

HONOURED: Footballer Marcus Rashford, left, and Joe Wicks have both been awarded MBEs for their charitable work.

Co v i d -1 9 heroes dom ina te the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year, from famous faces such as Marcus Rashford and Joe Wicks to hundreds of key workers who have helped with Britain’s fight against coronavirus.

This year ’s list was postponed from June in order to include people, such as medical workers, fundraisers and volunteers, who have been instrumental in the Covid-19 effort.

It celebrates the selfless good deeds of big names as well as ordinary people during the pandemic, which saw delivery drivers drop off food and medicine to vulnerable people and health and care workers put themselves at risk to help their communities.

Among them is footballer Marcus Rashford, who has been made an MBE after his efforts in ensuring children in need received meals across the summer during the pandemic.

His campaign forced the government to make a U-turn over its free school meals provision and now he is being honoured for ser vices to vulnerable children in the UK during Covid-19

He said Prime Minister B o r i s J o h n s o n recommended him for the honour, adding: “As a young black man from Wythenshawe, never did I think I would be accepting an MBE, never mind an MBE at the age of 22.

“This is a very special moment for myself and my family, but particularly my mum who is the real deserving recipient of the honour.”

Body coach Mr Wicks is also being made an MBE for helping children keep active and mentally fit during lockdown with his online PE lessons.

Hot on the heels of Mr Wicks is Derrick Evans, more commonly known as Mr Motivator, who has been made an MBE after creating online home exercises during lockdown and hosting a week-long workout to raise money for Age UK ’s Emergency Coronavirus Appeal.

Jo i n i n g the list of celebrities who have helped with Covid-19 efforts is rapper Lady Leshurr, who is being aw a r d e d the British Empire Me d a l (BEM) after releasing a coronavirus-related song this year reminding people to wash their hands.

Earlier this week, news leaked of damehoods for former Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry and actress Maureen Lipman, well known for her roles in BT adverts in the 1980s and currently in Coronation Street.

Ms Berry, who was made a CBE in 2012, is being made a dame for services to broadcasting, the culinary arts and charity, while Ms Lipman is honoured for her services to c h a r i t y, entertainment and the arts during her 50-year career.

Writer and director Sally Wainwright, who has been behind some of the biggest television dramas in recent years, including Gentleman Jack, is made an OBE.

In the entertainment industry, singer Mica Paris, who recently joined the cast of EastEnders, is being made an MBE for services to music, entertainment and charity.

There are CBEs for Professor Brian Cox, TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, and actor Adrian Lester.

In sport, former long distance runner Brendan Fos te r rece ives a knighthood for services to sport and culture.

Former Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas is made a CBE while cricketer Darren Gough is made an MBE.

The list includes 740 women, which represents 49% of the total, lower than the 50.7% seen in the New Year Honours list last year, while 6% considered themselves to h av e a disability.