Father of GMP officer killed in gun and grenade attack is made an MBE
Bryn Hughes says he feels humbled by the honour
The father of a Greater Manchester police officer killed in the line of duty says he feels humbled to be named on the King's Honours list.
PC Nicola Hughes was killed in 2012 alongside her colleague Pc Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade ambush whilst answering an emergency call out in Tameside.
Bryn Hughes set up the Pc Nicola Hughes Memorial Foundation in 2014 to help young people affected by murder or manslaughter.
He told reporter Michelle Livesey he was out doing a food shop when he got the phone call about the Honour. "It was quite a surprise", he said. "I was in the freezer section and my phone rang and when the lady told me I was being made an MBE, the hairs on my arms stood on end."
He went on to say, "It's a poignant way to mark 10 years since Nicola's murder. It's bitter sweet because the only reason I've been nominated and been given the award was because of what happened to Nicola and the work I've done since then. I'd give all that up in a heartbeat just to be able to say goodbye to Nicola."
The Nicola Hughes Foundation helps support children after the loss of a parent or sibling through murder or manslaughter. "We give out grants to help with things like computer equipment, driving lessons etc. Anything that will give them a head start in life where they may have lost that.
"We've just seen recently two murders that have taken place over Christmas and that strikes a chord - you know what their family are going through, especially the ages of the recent victims and you know the phone call, the knock on the door they will receive," he said.
"I think the message is just: 'Remember the victims and the families that are left behind because there is no coming back from that.'"
Mr Hughes said he will be looking forward to 2023, where he will be continuing the work in his daughter's name, raising money, raising awareness and running another five marathons.