North London online safety campaigner being made MBE

Ian Russell has been campaigning since the death of his teenage daughter Molly.

Ian Russell's daughter Molly took her own life after viewing harmful material on social media
Author: Aileen O'SullivanPublished 22nd May 2024

A north London father who became an online safety campaigner after the death of his teenage daughter will be honoured at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life in November 2017 after viewing harmful material on social media, will be made an MBE for services to child safety.

Mr Russell set up the Molly Rose Foundation suicide prevention charity in her memory and also contributed to the establishment of the Online Safety Bill, and said he believes Molly would have been "very proud" of her legacy.

Mr Russell set up the Molly Rose Foundation suicide prevention charity in her memory

Other recipients on Wednesday include Manchester City and England footballer Lauren Hemp, after she was made an MBE for services to football in the New Year Honours. Artist Sonia Boyce, who has been honoured for her services to art, Olympian Tom Bosworth, who was made an MBE for services to race walking, and arctic geologist Dr Steven Andrews, who receives the Polar Medal, awarded to individuals for outstanding service to the field of polar research.

King Edward VII introduced the Polar Medal in 1904 after the return of Captain Scott's Discovery expedition.

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