Bereaved South Yorkshire mum gets MBE for domestic abuse campaigning
Claire Throssell's fought tirelessly for change after the death of her sons
Last updated 1st Jan 2021
An insirational South Yorkshire campaigner, whose two sons were killed by her abusive ex husband, is getting an MBE in the New Year's Honours.
Claire Throssell, who's from Penistone, has been campaigning for changes to the family court ever since Paul, 9, and Jack, 12, died in a house fire started deliberately by their dad in 2014.
The boys were on a court appointed access visit when he lured them to the attic before setting light to the house, killing himself and the children.
Claire tells us the MBE means a lot to her:
"It means everything because at the heart of this is two small boys. I made them a promise that no other parent should have to hold their children in their arms as they die knowing it's at the hands of somebody they once loved.
"I hope they would be proud. And I hope that they are looking down and saying 'yeah mum, you're still standing!' It's love that's got me this far. I had their love for 9 and 12 years and I carry that forward every single day. "
Claire's now an ambassador for Women's Aid and IDAS as she campaigns for more protection for children in the family court.
She says she can't believe her work's been recognised:
"To be honest it's not quite sunk in yet. When I collect this award I will be very much thinking of everybody that's got behind me, kept me standing and able to fight for everybody else in this country who's suffering fear and oppression from domestic abuse. They deserve better."
Sheffield boxing coaches Brendan Warburton and Bob Wright are also getting MBEs for services to the sport.