A FORMER NSPCC trustee and a Ryedale-based business man were among those recognised in the New Year’s Honours list.

Philippa Webster, of Hovingham, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to children and young people,while Thomas Burgess, of Thornton-le-Dale, received an OBE.

Ms Webster has been involved with the NSPCC since 2001, first fundraising for the children’s charity for the Norton and Villages Committee whose Christmas fair, now at Duncombe Park, still raises money for the charity and then as chairman of that committee until 2008. In 2007 she was appointed a trustee sitting on the finance committee, and the divisional trustees’ committee. She still sits as a pension trustee for the charity’s pension scheme.

She said: “It was incredibly humbling to receive such an honour. I felt very fulfilled when I gave my time to the NSPCC and never thought that my efforts would be recognised in this way. However, it is the children and young people that are my motivation and I would like to thank everyone who supported me and joined with me in helping, and continue to help, such a worthwhile cause.”

Peter Wanless, NSPCC’s chief executive, said: “We are really delighted for Philippa, it is a wonderful accolade and truly well-deserved for the many, many years of support and fundraising on our behalf.

“Thanks to Philippa’s unstinting enthusiasm and expertise she has played a vital role in making sure we’re able to reach even more vulnerable children when they need us the most – whether it’s through Childline, our helpline, in schools or one of our therapeutic service centres.”

Mr Burgess is the founding director and current chairman of the family Burgess Group Plc and a founding director of Criddle Burgess Feeds Ltd and Burgess Diagnostic Veterinary Holdings Ltd.

He has been chairman of Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Scarborough and Ryedale Macmillan Nurse Appeal, Ocean Youth Trust North, governor at Merchant Adventurers in York and chairman of trustees at Antibiotic Resistance UK.

Mr Burgess said: “It was a bit of a shock when I received the letter saying I had received an OBE. I certainly wasn’t expecting it but it was a nice surprise and a great honour.”

Two North Yorkshire Police officers are to receive the Queen’s Police Medal.

North Yorkshire Police’s lead for mental health and suicide prevention, Inspector Bill Scott has been honoured for his work in transforming how North Yorkshire Police responds to people with mental health problems across York and North Yorkshire, while Police Constable Sara Widdrington, who is a youth officer based in Scarborough, has been honoured for her work in protecting young people.

Inspector Scott said: “Over the last 24 years, and in every role I’ve undertaken, I’ve been honoured to work with some incredible colleagues. Recently, working with people to improve policing responses to mental distress has been truly humbling, and is my genuine passion.

“This award is recognition of a team effort, and spurs us on with our efforts to do even more to help vulnerable folks.

“As the son and grandson of police officers, the privilege of wearing the North Yorkshire Police uniform is ?immense. I only wish my parents were still here to share this news, as I know they’d have been proud of their little lad.”

PC Widdrington said: “It is a true honour to be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. I am overwhelmed with pride. Throughout the years, I have worked alongside many committed and passionate colleagues within North Yorkshire Police to improve the way we engage with children and young people.”

North Yorkshire Police’s deputy chief constable Lisa Winward, added: “Bill and Sara are outstanding officers who both truly deserve this recognition. They are the pride of North Yorkshire Police.

“I am thrilled they have been recognised for their efforts in very different, yet equally vital, areas of policing which drive improvements in the way we keep our communities safe.

“I cannot express how proud I am that two North Yorkshire Officers have been recognised in this way. They are a credit to our force and on behalf of everyone at North Yorkshire Police, I thank them for their hard work and exceptional commitment.”