Monday 8 July 2013

OBEs or Oscars?

Political rant time... sorry, but sometimes things HAVE TO BE SAID!

My aunt was one of many children. Unlike her siblings, she didn't marry and have children of her own - my cousins and I were her family. Instead she spent her entire life helping other people. For 40 years she took disabled Guides on holiday; for longer than that she worked tirelessly in the Girl Guide movement and for her church - even to the extent of spending her free evenings making toys and decorations to sell to raise money. And she still always had time for her nephews and nieces.

Some years back, she became ill. At that point my immediate family and I decided to nominate her for an Honours - isn't that what they are for? To recognise service to your country and community? It's a long and complicated process and we wanted to complete it while she was still alive, so at least she would know what she meant to us and the people she cared for. There are endless forms to fill in and "statements" to obtain, but we did it and submitted it. We had an acknowledgement and that was it. Nothing. Zip. Not even a thanks but no thanks. Or a sorry, but we had so many deserving people to choose from. Nothing.

And the Honours go to celebrities - actors and footballers.

Sadly, my aunt passed away several years ago. She is much missed by us and her community in Manchester.

And David Cameron wants to give Andy Murray a knighthood for winning Wimbledon?

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