It’s an honour – or three!

Three honours winged their way to Tower Hamlets as the Queen issued her Birthday Honours List.

The first two awards recognise work in the local public sector – by two women who work with the borough’s young people.

Deborah Weston, Director of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development at Mulberry School for Girls became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to religious education, inter and intra-faith relations.

Deborah said: “This came as a very flattering surprise.  To be honoured in particular for my contribution to inter-faith and intra-faith dialogue is very humbling. I want to say a huge thank you to the people that made it happen, especially Mulberry School for Girls and to all those who have encouraged and supported me along the way.”

Lorraine Dooley, Co-founder and Manager of The Tower Hamlets Opportunity Group became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children, including those with a disability or additional needs.

Lorraine said: “From the heart, I’m overwhelmed, in shock and very humbled. Our team is like an extended family, and we’re proud to offer a service in Tower Hamlets. Parents and carers are crucial to the centre. They are so unconditionally supportive and kind. I would like to thank each and every one of them. I’ve also learned so much from other organisations.  Particular thanks to Stephens Hawkins and Phoenix Schools. But we have so much more to do! ”

Tower Hamlets Council has only provided a response from Labour’s John Biggs on the two women’s achievements.

John Biggs said: “I am pleased that the hard work of local people has been recognised as some of the best in Britain. Congratulations to our new appointees to the Order of the British Empire.”

Cllr Oliur Rahman, Leader of Tower Hamlets Independent Group, told East London News: “Congratulations to Deborah Weston and Lorraine Dooley. This community owes so much to the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I’m so pleased your hard work has now been recognised.”

In addition, local Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick has made public the text of an announcement from the Queen that she was appointing Dr Sheila Fitzpatrick, his wife, a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The Queen’s announcement read:

“THE QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday, to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:
“M.B.E.
“To be Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order:
“Dr. Sheila FITZPATRICK
“For services to Charities and Community Organisations in the UK and in Bangladesh.”

Jim Fitzpatrick’s office later clarified that Dr Fitzpatrick “works with Sreepur Village Orphanage, Marine Society & Sea Cadets and Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport”.

The Fitzpatricks know the Sreepur Village Orphanage well: Jim is a patron and Sheila is a trustee. Jim has reported before that the couple have made a number of visits to see and help with the charity’s work in Bangladesh. He has also released this photo of a fundraising dinner held in October 2014 at the Sonargaon Restaurant in Brick Lane (below), where entertainment was provided by Labour Councillor Rajib Ahmed and former Labour Councillor Doros Ullah.

Dr Fitzpatrick is also a trustee of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, a charity which offers nautical adventure for young people and personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers.

Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport co-ordinates local organisations to improve road safety in eastern European countries. Its Patron is Max Mosley, former president of FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), the organisation which set up the EASST. Dr Fitzpatrick joined the Trustee board in February 2016 and is one of four Trustees.

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