Betty Brown, a 92-year-old woman from Consett, County Durham, who is believed to be the oldest victim of the Post Office scandal, expressed that receiving an OBE is a symbol of acknowledgment for all postmasters whose lives were devastated. Brown was recently honored in the New Year Honours List for her relentless advocacy for justice. Over 900 sub-postmasters were falsely prosecuted due to errors in the Horizon IT system, falsely indicating theft from branch accounts.
Following a public inquiry into the scandal, it was revealed that 59 victims considered suicide, with 10 making attempts, and there is a strong likelihood that 13 individuals lost their lives due to the immense suffering they endured. Brown, an original victim of the scandal, participated in the 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 nonexistent shortfalls.
This past Christmas marked the first time in 26 years that Brown felt at ease without worries after finally receiving compensation through a government scheme. Expressing her feelings about being awarded an OBE, Brown humbly stated that she sees herself as an ordinary, hardworking individual and emphasized that the recognition is dedicated to all sub-postmasters who suffered, especially those who took their own lives.
Moreover, D-Day veteran Mervyn Kersh expressed his gratitude for being bestowed with a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts in Holocaust remembrance through school talks and his service during wartime. Kersh recounted his profound experiences meeting survivors at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and stressed the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition.
Among other commendable individuals recognized for their contributions were Ellen Roome, Ryan Riley, Serena Wiebe, and Sandra Igwe. Roome, who received an MBE, has been advocating for online safety following the tragic loss of her son, Jools. Riley, awarded a BEM, established Life Kitchen, a cookery school aiding those who have lost their sense of taste and smell. Wiebe, also receiving a BEM, was acknowledged for her anti-knife crime activism after personal losses. Igwe, granted an MBE, was honored for her work with the Motherhood Group, aiming to enhance maternal healthcare for black women.
In their own words, these remarkable individuals expressed their deep gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon them, acknowledging the significance of their work and the impact it has had on their respective communities and causes.