A 92-year-old woman, believed to be the oldest victim of the Post Office scandal, expressed that her OBE represents acknowledgment for all postmasters whose lives were devastated. Betty Brown, residing in Consett, County Durham, was recently honored in the New Year Honours List for her relentless advocacy for justice. Over 900 sub-postmasters faced wrongful prosecution due to errors in the Horizon IT software, falsely implicating them in money theft from branch accounts.
Following a public inquiry into the scandal, it was revealed that 59 victims contemplated suicide, with 10 making attempts, and a potential 13 individuals losing their lives due to the anguish inflicted upon them. Ms. Brown, an original victim, participated in the collective legal action against the Post Office led by Sir Alan Bates. She and her late husband, Oswall, managed the Annfield Plain Post Office from 1985 to 2003, estimating a loss of approximately £100,000 to cover non-existent shortfalls.
This past Christmas marked the first time in 26 years that Ms. Brown felt she could relax without worries, having finally received compensation through a government scheme. She humbly described the honor of receiving an OBE, emphasizing that it symbolizes recognition for all sub-postmasters who endured similar hardships and injustices.
Meanwhile, D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh expressed his gratitude for being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his educational efforts on Holocaust remembrance and wartime service. He recounted his profound experiences at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and stressed the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition.
Among other notable awardees is Ellen Roome, who received an MBE for her advocacy on online safety following the tragic loss of her son, Jools. Ryan Riley was awarded a BEM for establishing Life Kitchen, a charitable cookery school aiding individuals who have lost their sense of taste and smell. Serena Wiebe, recognized with a BEM, was honored for her anti-knife crime activism and youth advocacy, inspired by personal tragedies involving her brother and a close friend.
Sandra Igwe, from Sidcup, south-east London, was appointed an MBE for her dedicated work with the Motherhood Group, striving to enhance maternal healthcare for black women. Reflecting on her achievement, Igwe expressed satisfaction in making a meaningful impact and noted the importance of amplifying voices to drive positive change.