Knaresborough road safety campaigner awarded BEM in Birthday Honours
Lauren Doherty suffered life-changing injuries in a road accident, and has now taught thousands about road safety
A road safety campaigner from Knaresborough has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to education, in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Lauren Doherty was told she wouldn't be able to walk again, or breathe without a ventilator, after a road accident in 2008.
Since then, she has set up the Road Safety Talks charity, educating thousands of children and adults about safe driving in North Yorkshire.
During lockdown, she has also taken to Zoom, continuing her vital work, spreading even further across the UK.
Speaking about receiving the honour, Lauren said: "I was really shocked, and when I rang my parents, my Dad was quite emotional. It's great that a lot of the hard work we've put in has got to this, which is amazing.
"From the point of my accident, I had always said that I wanted to go and speak to children about road safety, to make sure nobody else had to go through what me and my family were going through.
"During lockdown, we started doing Zoom talks, for clubs and organisations all over the country, which was great to get us out to different areas."
A lasting impact across North Yorkshire
Lauren is a key figure on the 'learn to Live' campaign, working with North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Rescue services, and the NHS, advising 16 to 18-year-olds about safe driving.
Several Harrogate District Hospital consultants have said they have never seen anyone get a message across to 17-year-olds so effectively, including over-confident and inexperienced drivers.
She has also teamed up with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, providing a voiceover and lived experience to a campaign being seen by 3000 children.
Alongside all of this, she is an advocate and supporter for other people living with disabilities.
Read more about Lauren's story on the Road Safety Talks website.
Take a look at some of the famous faces receiving honours:
Greatest Hits Radio presenter Simon Mayo gets an MBE for services to broadcasting.
He said: "I have to admit I am gobsmacked. Totally speechless. Which is a poor show for a broadcaster really.
"I feel very fortunate and privileged to have worked at some of the greatest radio stations in this country"
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith is made a Dame
Jonathan Pryce said the arts show "the importance of debate and tolerance" as he was given a knighthood.
The actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for his turn as Pope Francis, and acclaimed for his role as the High Sparrow in Game Of Thrones, has been recognised for services to drama and charity
Choreographer and ex-Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips is made a dame
Actress Ruth Wilson has been given an MBE
Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling is made an MBE for services to racial equality in sport.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is also made an MBE after he raised £4 million for the NHS from fellow Premier League footballers through the #PlayersTogether appeal.
Singer and one-time Eurovision winner Lulu is also honoured with a CBE alongside keyboardist and songwriter Rick Wakeman.
Singer Alison Moyet is made an MBE, while cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber, brother of West End impresario Andrew Lloyd-Webber, is recognised with an OBE for services to music.
Presenter and ex-tennis player Sue Barker has been given a CBE for her service to sport, as has Ex-England football team manager Roy Hodgson.
Robert Rinder is being made an MBE on the same day as his mother!
The barrister and TV judge, 43, is being honoured for services to Holocaust education and awareness, as is his mother Angela Cohen, who is chairwoman of the '45 Aid Society, a charity set up by a group of child Holocaust survivors in 1963.