Two boys who raised almost £800,000 in the pandemic have become the youngest ever to be awarded gongs from the Queen.
Tobias Weller, 11, and Max Woosey, 12, get honours in a New Year list dominated by those in the Covid battle. Ex-PM Tony Blair is knighted.
For almost two years an army of dedicated Brits has been toiling tirelessly to help us get through the darkest days of a killer pandemic that has worn many others down.
Frontline NHS staff fighting to save lives, scientists locked in a race for Covid vaccines and cures, fundraisers pulling out all the stops and retail chiefs supplying us with essentials are among those who have played their part.
And today, those coronavirus heroes are recognised with a string of awards that will be presented by the Queen.
Among them are the youngest ever recipients of a royal honour.
Tobias Weller, 11, and 12-year-old Max Woosey will be handed British Empire Medals for their selfless fundraising campaigns that have so far netted almost £800,000.
Other gongs awarded in the Queen’s New Year Honours list include England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, his deputy Professor Jonathan Van-Tam and researcher Sir Paul Nurse.
Tobias, who has cerebral palsy and autism, says he is overjoyed with his award. He added: “It feels absolutely amazing to be honoured by the Queen.
“My mum told me about it and I thought, ‘Wow, I’m actually going to get an honour from Her Majesty the Queen.’
“This makes me feel so proud. I’m chuffed to bits to be the youngest recipient of such an incredible honour.”
Tobias was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to help charities. He raised more than £150,000 for his school and The Children’s Hospital Charity, in his home city of Sheffield, by completing a series of challenges.
Tobias began his first marathon using a walker in March 2020.
He did a second one that June using a “race runner” support. This September he announced he had completed an Ironman triathlon over 12 months. This included a 112-mile ride on his trike and running the length of a 26-mile marathon. Max, of Braunton, Devon, has raised more than £640,000 by camping out every night since March 29, 2020.
He began his sponsored sleepout for North Devon Hospice after his terminally ill neighbour Rick Abbott gave him a tent. The Pride of Britain winner said: “I’m excited to see how this all goes for the hospice because they are the true heroes, they’ve done all the incredible work. I just hope this will help raise money for the hospice.”
Prof Whitty, 55, becomes a knight. His counterparts in Wales, Frank Atherton, and Scotland, Gregor Smith, are made sirs. Prof Van-Tam is also knighted.
UK Health Security Agency boss Dr Jenny Harries becomes a dame. England’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance had his knighthood upgraded.
He said: “I am really pleased to see so many outstanding scientists and engineers recognised, including those working tirelessly as part of the response to the pandemic.”
Sir Paul, director of biomedical research centre the Francis Crick Institute in London, is made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour.
He said the pandemic has “catapulted science into the front line”.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency chief Dr June Raine is a dame. She said: “I am enormously honoured.
This is thanks to the dedication and commitment of all our talented staff, who work so tirelessly to make sure vaccines, therapeutics and medical devices are safe and effective.”
Covid vaccine campaign leader Emily Lawson also becomes a dame.
Chief executive of the Co-op Group Steve Murrells and former Asda chief executive Roger Burnley are awarded CBEs for services to food supplies.
Among the 1,278 people honoured were names from sport, showbiz and the arts, community leaders and armed forces personnel.
