THE founder of a community charity has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Honours list.

Maulana Mohammed Tayyab Sidat, founder of the IMO Charity in Blackburn, has been recognised for his charitable services to the community.

The IMO Charity started in 2006 to help support disadvantaged young people and their families in Blackburn.

Mr Sidat was shocked to have been nominated. He said: “I feel quite overwhelmed and did not expect this really.

“I would say to always work on your dreams and never give up.”

Mr Sidat was told in April but was told to keep the news a secret and even hid it from his own wife.

He said: “When I was told I nearly fell off my seat.

“It is amazing that on a national level our work at IMO is being recognised for what we do and the people we help.

“When I got the email, I thought it was a joke but then I read it again and realised it was serious.”

A district Scout commissioner and charity fundraiser has been given a British Empire Medal for services to children and young people in Rossendale.

Catherine Louise Cooper, from Haslingden, was ‘over the moon’.

The 54-year-old said: “I have been a bit overwhelmed as you don’t do all the work for recognition, you do it just to help people.

“It is nice to think that somebody has thought about what I do and put in a nomination. I was Rossendale Woman of the Year in 2014 but this is even better and cannot believe it to be honest.”

Two employees from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust have been rewarded with the British Empire Medal for their dedication and hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Anderson, chaplain at the trust, and Sue Chapman, deputy divisional director of estates and facilities, were awarded with the prestigious medal after going above and beyond to help both patients and staff through the challenging months.

David has helped boost staff morale through his ‘Conversations with Jasper’ sessions with therapy dog Jasper, among many other initiatives.

David said: “It is a wonderful honour and privilege and very humbling. I feel incredibly proud to part of an amazing team here at ELHT and work alongside so many amazing colleagues.”

Sue has been instrumental in the hospitals’ logistical response to the Covid pandemic, even working with a local business to bring in a fleet of motor homes for extra accommodation to keep staff and their families protected.

She said: “I am extremely honoured to have been awarded the medal and very surprised that out of over 9,000 ELHT staff, I have been chosen to receive the honour as every single ELHT employee deserves this recognition.”