Brain injury in football campaigner appointed MBE

The daughter of footballer Jeff Astle, who died from brain trauma caused by heading heavy leather footballs, has been appointed MBE in the New Year Honours.

Dawn Astle set up The Jeff Astle Foundation to raise awareness of brain injury in sport and offer support to those affected.

Mr Astle, a former England, Notts County and West Bromwich Albion striker, died aged 59 in 2002.

Since then, his family have campaigned for change, including through their Justice for Jeff campaign.

Ms Astle, who lives in Measham in Leicestershire, said she felt "very, very overwhelmed" to be recognised.

"I'm absolutely honoured but it's tinged with sadness because this recognition comes because of the loss of my dad," she said.

"When I went round to tell my mum I took the letter with me and Mum was really emotional.

"Just as I was leaving she said, 'Dawn, your dad would be so proud of you.' It was very emotional."

Through her campaigning, a recent study by The University of Glasgow found ex-professional footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to get dementia and five times more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

The study also found footballers were four times more likely to be diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and twice as likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease than non-footballers.

Her work has also encouraged other elite sports, such as rugby league and rugby union, to look further into head injuries and treatment protocols, and the effects and risks they may have in regards to these conditions.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Astle said: "People used to say 'We all know what killed Jeff but you will never, ever prove it', but we did.

"I think of my dad every second of every day, and his death started all this, and that must never, ever be forgotten."

Other Leicestershire honours recipients include volunteer Betty Cobley.

The 90-year-old has been rewarded with a British Empire Medal (BEM) after more than 30 years volunteering at Leicester Royal Infirmary's cafés.

Her daughter Ann, who died two years ago, was ill for most of her life. Mrs Cobley said it was one of the reasons she decided to volunteer.

She ran a catering business before retiring from paid employment.

Reacting to the news, she told the BBC: "Stunned is the right word, I wasn't expecting it but I feel quite honoured."

"I feel it's the friendships that I've made here, and that's been incredible, so that means more to me than anything.

"People say you must be mad working all of these years for nothing but you get back what you give," she said.

Richard Mitchell, chief executive at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "This is well-deserved recognition of her incredible 30 years of dedication at the Royal Voluntary Service Café at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

"Betty's kindness, warmth and exceptional service leave a lasting impact on all who walks through our doors. We are grateful for Betty's remarkable contribution and the difference she makes every day to so many people."

Lutterworth's golden girl Lauren Henry has received an MBE for her services to rowing.

Henry, 22, was part of the women's quadruple skulls team which pipped the Netherlands in a photo finish to secure the Olympic title in Paris - adding to her European and World Championship golds.

She joined Leicester Rowing Club at the age of 13, quickly working her way through the junior and U23 ranks.

Last year, at the age of 21, Henry won the GB Rowing Team Senior Trials and was selected for the GB Women's Quad who went on to take the British Record at the Varese World Cup.

Loughborough Paralympian Dave Ellis has also been awarded an MBE following his gold medal at the 2024 games in Paris.

Ellis, along with guide Luke Pollard, came out on top in the visual impairment triathlon.

He began as a swimmer at Beijing in 2008 and has now represented Paralympics GB three times, twice as a paratriathlete.

After disappointment at the Tokyo Paralympics, he went on to win 10 straight gold medals in the paratriathlon - including a world title win in Abu Dhabi, a European title in Spain and a Commonwealth Games gold on home soil in Birmingham.

Homelessness campaigner Salma Ravat from Leicester has also been awarded an MBE.

Her project, Eat and Meet, offered a place to eat every Saturday.

She then expanded the project into a winter night shelter - the first multi-faith night shelter in the country - inspiring other multi-faith partnerships nationwide.

She went on to create the "One Roof Leicester" initiative, acquiring 11 houses to give people without homes a stable location.

The charity has been in existence for 10 years and has supported hundreds of people.

Richard Price, managing director of Marks & Spencer, has been awarded an MBE for his services to fashion.

The 59-year-old from Market Harborough has been recognised for his "prioritised sustainability initiatives, emphasising environmental responsibility and ethical sourcing practices, and implementing ambitious sustainability goals".

His leadership at M&S "exemplifies his commitment to driving positive change, fostering economic growth, and upholding British values," a government spokesperson said.

Leicester-based surgeon David Lloyd, who was the first to perform keyhole surgery on a child, has also been awarded an MBE - for his services to surgery.

The 68-year-old was also the first to perform surgery for acid-reflux and the first in Europe to remove part of a liver.

He was nominated for Most Outstanding Clinical Teacher in Leicester and he continues to contribute to teaching and training.

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