Happy Father’s Day & Thank You For MBE Congratulation Messages

I was in the process of writing two blog posts to cover the title of this particular post – but then decided to bring them together and I hope you will understand why by the end of this brief post.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish all Father’s a very Happy Father’s Day and hope families across the world are celebrating this fantastic day. I unfortunately, lost my Father in February 2009.

I have received so many congratulation messages on the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has decided to give me an MBE (Member of British Empire) in her Birthday Honours List. I am incredibly proud of this achievement.

I have tried  my best to personally thank as many people as possible for their messages but it has proven difficulty to respond to every phone call, every text, every email, every tweet, every Facebook status or message and every LinkedIn message – but I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one you for congratulating me – THANK YOU.

I would also like to thank those individuals and/or organisations that recommended me for this Honour – I am unaware of who you are and would honestly like to know your identity – I would like to thank you personally. I appreciate you taking time out to complete the relevant forms, supporting documents and appreciating my work in the community and voluntary sector – THANK YOU.

I am being honoured for services to the voluntary sector – this award is not just an award for me but for the dozens of community activists that work in the voluntary sector in my ward of Lozells & East Handsworth. Community activism in Lozells, Birchfield and Handsworth is second to none – I am blessed to be working with and for some dedicated volunteers who work day and night for the betterment of their community and to make improvements to the area – THANK YOU.

These volunteers are the heart and soul of the fantastic area that I was born into, schooled, have lived in all my life and today represent as a Councillor. I commit to continue helping you, enabling you and empowering you to come together as one to get our community through some of the most difficult times with substantial reductions in public sector resources.

I would also like to thank all those that have contributed towards my personal development and there have been many of you that have mentored, assisted, guided and supported me during the past 31 years. I wanted to pay a particular tribute to the educational institutions that have assisted my development namely Heathfield Primary School, Holte Secondary School, Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College and Aston University – THANK YOU.

Finally, there is someone who is unfortunately not here with us today who would have without doubt been the proudest individual when hearing this announcement – and that is my Dad.

A couple of month before he passed away, I was appointed a Justice of Peace by the Lord Chancellor and I can clearly recall how proud he was of me – he celebrated this appointment with other members of my family with great pride and told the world that his son is now a Magistrate.

It has been incredibly emotional for me that he wasn’t by my side when I was elected a Councillor, something he really wanted me to achieve, he wasn’t by my side when last month I was appointed Chair of the O&S Committee for Social Cohesion and Community Safety and yesterday, he wasn’t there to celebrate the announcement of the MBE with other members of my family.

However, I know he is looking over me with immense pride knowing full well that his commitment, sacrifices, dedication and love that he showered me with is paying off. THANK YOU, DADDY!

Happy Father’s Day.