MBE for four decades helping children get shoes

A woman who has spent a lifetime putting shoes on the feet of vulnerable children has been appointed an MBE for her efforts.

Janet McConkey said she was "totally shocked" when she received a letter from the Cabinet Office, joking that she "thought she was in trouble".

She has worked with the Coventry Children's Boot Fund for more than 40 years, much of it alongside a full-time job as a school attendance officer.

Ms McConkey said need throughout the city was still high and it was "unbelievable" children still needed shoes in 2024.

The charity provides around 500 pairs of well-fitted new shoes for the poorest and most vulnerable children in Coventry every year, with children referred by teachers and headteachers based on need.

The 74-year-old said the city was currently receiving asylum seekers, some of whom come with absolutely nothing, and volunteers were always needed.

"You get as much joy from giving as you do from receiving," she said.

"I remember taking one little lad to a shoe shop. It was the time they had the flashing lights on the bottom of children's shoes.

"This child, he ran up and down, up and down. He just couldn't believe they were for him."

Gareth Hopkins is also among those from Coventry and Warwickshire receiving honours.

The 52-year-old has been appointed an MBE for services to Forestry, something he "didn't ever expect to happen".

Mr Hopkins developed a "groundbreaking" forestry apprenticeship programme, helping secure a new generation of foresters and professionalise the industry after a decades-long decline in forestry education.

"Like a lot of industries we've been down as far as numbers and skills are concerned," he said.

"Managing our natural environment and our tree landscape is really important for the future.

"It's a really engaging and diverse career."

• Marcus Jones, from Nuneaton, is made a knight for political and public service during his time as MP for Nuneaton
• Mandeep Sanghera, from Coventry, is appointed OBE for services to refugee resettlement
• Professor Rosemary Collier, from Warwick, is appointed OBE for services to horticultural science for her work at the University of Warwick
• Professor Siobhan Quenby, from Kenilworth, is appointed an MBE for services to obstetrics research at the University of Warwick
• Karen Williams, from Stratford-upon-Avon, is appointed MBE for services to the community in Warwickshire as chief executive of Escape Arts
• Safeena Mohammed, from Coventry, is awarded a BEM for services to foster care
• Barbara Spiby, from Rugby, is awarded a BEM for services to early years and childcare for her management of Clifton Playgroup
• Claire Wooldridge, from Nuneaton, is awarded a BEM for services to charity during her time at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

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