Laura Sharpe and Paula Owens report on the people from across the region appearing in the New Year Honours list

MARINA DALGLISH leads the Merseyside New Year honours announced today.

People from across the teaching, medical and voluntary sectors have been recognised with CBEs and MBEs with Dr Paul Logan, from the Department for Work and Pensions, picking up the region’s only OBE.

Bryan Gray MBE, chairman of the North West Regional Development Agency, was also awarded a CBE alongside Liverpool’s Finlay McMillan Scott, chief executive of the General Medical Council.

The honour for Mrs Dalglish comes five years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The wife of footballing legend Kenny, Marina said she was absolutely delighted with the honour which had taken her by surprise. Next month, the Queen will present her award for services to breast cancer patients in Merseyside.

Diagnosed in 2003, the mother-of-four underwent an operation and months of chemotherapy at Clatterbridge Hospital before beating the disease and launching a cancer charity in her name.

After more than three years of devoted fundraising, a new £2m chemotherapy centre for Merseyside was opened at University Hospital Aintree.

Speaking yesterday, Mrs Dalglish said: “It’s amazing how something bad can turn into something good. Who’d have ever thought that having cancer would lead to the opening of a new unit.

“I’m absolutely delighted, but this honour is not just for me, though the charity’s in my name, this MBE is for everyone whose helped over the past four years.

“It started off as a ‘wee’ charity that’s grown because of everyone’s support.”

Kenny added: “We wanted to show our appreciation for the fantastic care Marina got in hospital five years ago.

“The people of Merseyside put their hands in their pockets and they have a centre they can be proud of. And if they need to use it they can be treated in comfortable surroundings.”

The opening of the centre last year was a dream come true for Marina, and bears her name on the top floor of Fazakerley Hospital. And the centre has become a lifeline for the many cancer patients across the region.

The centre means many of them no longer have to make the trip through the Mersey Tunnels to Clatterbridge for treatment.

Mrs Dalglish said: “I went to Clatterbridge and had really good treatment; it was great, but I had to travel a long way. That’s why I want radiotherapy treatment to come to Liverpool.

“Going through the tunnel to get there can be such a psychological thing that people are physically sick, and 70% of people receiving radiotherapy are from that side of the water.”

Aside from joking about retirement and cleaning up the family home in Birkdale after Christmas, Mrs Dalglish said she has more fundraising plans up her sleeve.

She added: “Kenny received an MBE many years ago for his services to football and the children think it’s hilarious that we’ve both got one now.

“I’m fortunate that everyone has helped me to fight cancer – then open the new chemotherapy centre. But it’s a busy year ahead as we launch a £5m appeal to build a new radiotherapy unit at Clatterbridge.”

The fundraising appeal will also see Mr Dalglish organise a charity football match later in the year to commemorate the Hillsborough anniversary.

James Birrell, chief executive of Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Everyone at the trust is absolutely delighted for Marina, who thoroughly deserves this honour.”

Anyone wanting to “Buy-a-brick” for the new radiotherapy unit can visit www. marinadalglishappeal.org

LIVERPOOL solicitor Andrew Holroyd OBE, who works at Jackson and Canter, was awarded a CBE for his service to the administration of Justice.

Mr Holroyd, who was president of the Law Society, led a high-profile campaign to fight for access to justice for all through legal aid.

Woolton-based Mr Holroyd said: “This is such a surprise, as they abandoned long-standing presidents of the Law Society getting a ‘gong’ back in the 1980s.

“It’s a great honour and follows the high-profile campaign last year. I’m pleased that the debate over legal aid has led to a better relationship between the profession and the Government.

“Over the coming year, I just want to work hard for the benefit of the firm and make sure legal aid works in practice.”

As in the national honours, sports features heavily in the region’s MBE honours with cyclist Edward Clancy honoured alongside Karen Tonge, from Runcorn.

Mrs Tonge, ranked in the top 100 female players, was honoured for voluntary service to table tennis after spending more than 50 years playing and organising the sport.

She said: “This honour shows that volunteers in sport are recognised and highlights the important part volunteers play in encouraging the young and old to become active.”

A Liverpool bus driver was also honoured with an MBE for his 45-year career behind the wheel.

Bosses at Stagecoach described Robert “Bobby” Fletcher as an “absolute star”.

Director Les Burton, who nominated Mr Fletcher, said: “He’s such a nice man. We’re delighted for him and it’s well-deserved.”

The 65-year-old driver, from Walton, added: “I haven’t really taken it in yet.”

Lynda Coulter, senior neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded the MBE for services to healthcare.

Mrs Coulter, 57, who lives in Chester, said: “I’m thrilled, absolutely delighted. My husband and two sons are very proud.”

She has worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital for 18 years and in 2000 was involved in the launching of a human milk bank at the neonatal unit.

She added: “We now run a very busy milk bank serving the North West here at the Countess.”

TO SEE a video interview with Marina and Kenny, visit www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk

FOR the full list of honours, visit www.liverpool dailypost.co.uk

laurasharpe