TWO mothers who founded a charity after the murder of Merseyside toddler James Bulger are named in the honours list today.

Lyn Costello and Dee Edwards set up campaign group Mothers Against Murder and Aggression (MAMAA) after James Bulger’s death to support victims of violent crime.

The group held a protest in Liverpool in 2000 to raise money to help James's father Ralph Bulger mount a legal challenge to a ruling that his son’s killers could be released.

The two women were given MBEs for their work offering help to those whose lives have been ripped apart by violence.

The two friends said they were so shocked by the abduction and murder of James in Merseyside in 1993 they decided to do something.

In the subsequent 15 years, the campaigners have helped more than 600 families affected by violent crime.

Mrs Costello, 55, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, said: “It is really good for the charity to be recognised but I find it bitter sweet because of what we do.

“We support the families whose children have been murdered. If those kids were still here we would not need to be doing what we are doing.”

“In the last year we have seen what is happening to young people on the streets and it makes you think about them.”

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

She added: “Next year is an important year. We do not just want to be picking up the pieces all the time.

“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.”