Family care campaigners rewarded

Lyn Costello and Dee Edwards were inspired by the death of James Bulger

Two mothers who founded an organisation to support victims of violent crime have been appointed MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

Lyn Costello and Dee Edwards set up the campaign group Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (MAMAA) after the death of toddler James Bulger in 1993.

Mrs Costello, 55, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, said the honour brought a bitter sweet feeling.

Over the past 15 years the women have helped more than 600 families.

She said: "If those kids were still here we would not need to be doing what we are doing."

Mrs Costello said the charity faced a financial crisis in the past year but the Home Office had stepped in with funding until April.

"Next year is an important year. We do not just want to be picking up the pieces all the time," she said.

"The things we have learned over the years, we have got a pot of knowledge and hopefully we can share that and make a difference."

The two friends said they were so shocked by the abduction and murder of James in Merseyside they decided to do something.

Other recipients include:

HERTFORDSHIRE

CBE

• Professor Leslie Colin Ebdon, vice-chancellor, University of Bedfordshire. For services to local and national Higher Education (Hitchin)

• Robert David Holden. Chief executive London and Continental Railways Ltd. For services to the rail industry (Hertfordshire)

• Stephen Parker. For public service (St Albans)

• Anthony Watson. Chairman, Strategic Investment Board Ltd. For services to economic development in Northern Ireland (Bishop's Stortford)

OBE

• Dr Susan Elizabeth Gregory. Consultant in dental public health, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. For services to healthcare (Hitchin)

• Professor Christopher John Heginbotham. Formerly chief executive, Mental Health Act Commission. For services to healthcare (St Albans)

• Mrs Susan Elizabeth Jones. Head of public libraries children services, Hertfordshire County Council. For services to local government (Broxbourne)

• Arnold Roy Vandermeer. For voluntary service to the community (St Albans)

MBE

• Lewis Hamilton. Formula One driver. For services to motor racing

• Ms Wendy Cooling. Co-Founder of Bookstart Project. For services to children's literacy (Barnet)

• Bernard James Cotton. Director, Team GB Holding Camp. For services to sport(Hertfordshire)

• Mrs Doreen Egarr. For voluntary service to the community (St. Albans)

• Mrs Michal Miriam Westmill Furr. Manager, Westhill Community Centre and Community Association. For services to the community (Hitchin)

• Alderman Kenneth Jenkins. For voluntary service to the community in St Albans and Harpenden (Harpenden)

• Mrs Brenda Valerie Beach. Founder of Gateway Club. For services to people with learning disabilities in Hertfordshire (Hatfield)

• David Edward James Miles. Banjo player. For services to music (Hertford)

• Mrs Caroline Rejdak. Foster carer. For services to children and families (Hitchin)

• Robert Rejdak. Foster carer. For services to children and families (Hitchin)

• Colin Sparkes. Team leader, cross tax evasion intervention, HM Revenue and Customs (Broxbourne)

• Syd Allen Wright. Chief technician for insect survey, Rothamsted Research. For services to science (Harpenden)

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

CBE

• Michael Chance. Opera singer. For services to music (Born Penn)

• Mrs Shirley Cramer. Formerly national council member, Learning and Skills Council and chief executive, Dyslexia Action. For services to education (Gerrards Cross)

• Peter Jones. For services to business, entrepreneurship and to young people (Beaconsfield)

OBE

• Professor Martin Cave. Warwick Business School. For public service (Gerrards Cross)

• Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. For public and voluntary service (Amersham)

• Bernard Lewis. For charitable services (Beaconsfield)

MBE

• Mark Hunter. Rower. For services to sport

• Acting Lt Col Lewis John Williams, TD. Buckinghamshire Army Cadet Force

BEDFORDSHIRE

CBE

• Professor Leslie Colin Ebdon. Vice-chancellor, University of Bedfordshire. For services to local and national higher education (Hitchin)

• Derek Anthony Ludlow, MBE, DL. Chairman, Ludlow Group of companies. For services to business and the community in Bedfordshire (Luton)

OBE

• Rodney John Calvert. Managing director, Millbrook Proving Ground. For services to the automotive industry (Bedford)

• Mrs Cheryl Linda Danson. Chair, England Netball. For services to sport (Luton)

• Dr Susan Elizabeth Gregory. Consultant in dental public health, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. For services to healthcare (Hitchin)

• Christopher Gerard Hughes. For public service (Luton)

MBE

• Mrs Judith Cottam. Formerly nurse consultant (Stoma Care), Bedford Hospital NHS Trust. For services to healthcare

• Nigel Francis Green. Chief officer, Bedfordshire Special Constabulary. For voluntary service to the police (Leighton Buzzard)

• Peter Norman Holden. Formerly head of people engagement department, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. For services to nature conservation

• David James Matthews. For services during the July 2005 London Bombings (Luton)

• Mrs Valerie Priestley. For services to Edith Cavell Lower School, Bedford

• Mrs Marcia Roberts. For services to diversity and to the recruitment industry