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From Margaret Braithwaite: "My nominee: Justin Braithwaite. Justin is my father-in-law. This summer he has managed the phenomenally successful King Bladud's Pigs Public Art Project in Bath. He has engaged artists, personally transported pigs (from far- flung corners of the country to Bath)"

"I would like to nominate Andy Wood. Andy Wood is a London-based music promoter and producer who first brought Buena Vista Social Club to the UK and has organised many other cultural events, including his flagship festival of Latin music La Linea. He works tirelessly and creatively behind the scenes to bring pleasure and culture to 100,000s of people." Sebastian Merrick

"I would like to nominate Muriel. She is an elderly lady who helps to run the Oxford Breast Milk bank." Chrissy Gower

"There is an unsung hero who - out of his own funds - paid for experiments to make the first man-made diamond in the world from an umbilical cord. His name is Mike Kelly." Suzie Jackson.

"There is a giant, of story-book stature, called Harry Hart (Honestly - that is his name) who started life in 'media' as a cameraman, winning some serious awards. From memory, he filmed the 1st British atomic test and the 1966 World Cup." Barrie Singleton.

"The unsung hero I'd like to nominate is Cilla Wykes the Editor of community website www.thisisUll.com" - Michelle Dee

"I'm Bob Smith from London. I would like to nominate my good friend Kriss Bell from Manchester. He started travelling to Eastern Europe (always at his own expense) just after "The Wall" came down - and every year, sometimes 4 or 5 times in 12 months(!!), he is out there. He started work as a volunteer, working for various charities, helping both the young orphans and the older poor people. He always travels alone.
It's an epic story - but just briefly, he now has a house in Bulgaria that he holds parties for so many less fortunate than himself, at - and he has a large piece of land close to Transylvania where he allows free camping, anytime through the year.
He never asks for money towards his expenses - it all comes out of his own pocket and he isn't a rich person. I met him on a campsite in Corfu a few years ago. He was off the next day, across on the ferry, from Corfu Town to Saranda (Albania), to see what he could do to help, without ever patronising. He still goes there now.
He's almost a celebrity, but would never accept such words to be used.
Such a good and very modest friend."

"I would like to nominate Royston Price for an honour, as he's had a remarkable life and is still contributing to the community at the age of 87." Andy Ball

"I should like to nominate Dawn Travers for an honour. She has run Streatham Cats Rescue for at least 40 years. She takes in sick, old and abandoned cats into her own home, cares for them & takes them to the vet at her own expense when necessary. She raises money by having a bric-a-brac stall in Streatham High Road each weekend, whatever the weather." Vanessa Stopford

"Ok I know I'm being a creep but I'd like to nominate Eddie Mair. He has the ability to add a bit of humour to the news whihc in the current climate is a welcome change from the Doom and Gloom other News programs seem to insist on broadcasting. So let's have a Gong for Eddie. Jerry."

"how about colin stagg , has he not earned the respect of the people for not lashing out at his despicable treatment." Grenville Seymour

"Hi - I would like to nominate Merryn Somerset Webb (Editor of Money Week) for the iPM New Year Honours list.

Every time I hear someone trot out the phrase "no one could have foreseen the credit crunch coming" I think how wrong they are. I remember reading articles written by the Money Week team at least a year before Northern Rock went belly up, where dire warnings were given about unsustainable borrowing. I even remember explaining to my Bank Manager at the time what 'sub-prime' meant, all curtesy of Merryn & her chums. I would like to see Ms Somerset Webb and her team credited with foresight and perception, sadly lacking in those who govern us. Jane H"

"I would like to nominate my colleague Paul Burden for the iPM New Year's honour. When he was a child, he lost his left leg to the hip from cancer, following which he endured chemotherapy to remove tumours in his lungs, which failed, which meant surgery to remove them, finally successfully. Three years of painful and exhausting treatment. 33 years later, another type of cancer was found in his cheek, and following a gruelling surgery, has returned to work here at Orange with his usual good humour and ready wit intact." Mary Evans

"I've just realised Berwick Kaler would be a great recipient for an iPM honour. Are you just giving the one, btw, or are you going to be like the Queen and hand out armfuls?
Anyway, google him and you'll find out why - he's doing his 30th year of unbroken service at York Theatre Royal this year as the panto Dame. In his 60's, but still throwing himself into tanks of water and hanging upside downb from harnesses etc. The man is a genius.He'd make a great interviewee too - his ad-libs on stage are incredibly witty.Very self-deprecating too. Apparently this year he's giving us his Amy Winehouse impression. I will always treasure the memory of his Anne Widdecombe (pre-makeover days)...All the best Anna C"

"Hello Eddie,

You asked this evening for nominations for your PM New Year Honours. I would like to nominate my daughter Mae who is my Carer.
When she was younger my ill health impacted on her in a way which was not appropriate and because of that she has experienced some problems in her own life. Whether she liked it or not she was my Carer which I of course felt very bad about. She often did not want to be my Carer. Because of my ill-health I was not able to work so one effect on our situation was poverty. We both struggled with that. But she has never blamed me for that. She has been angry about our circumstances of course - as have I!

She left home when she was sixteen. From a distance, over the following two years, our relationship improved and she continued to support me but with a greater sense of choice. Recently she has decided that for both our benefits she would move back in with me so that she could more easily available to support me. I am so touched by her generosity and compassion for me.
She has only been back for a week but already the difference to me is enormous. She encourages me in so many ways and with such tenderness and with quite a lot of shoving when needed!
I don't know what you have in mind for honouring the people you choose but please do consider her for this. Many Thanks, Lulu Agate, Cambridge "

"Hello Eddie. I would like to nominate my neighbour, Paul Thompson, for an honour. When his wife Jan contracted Multiple Sclerosis, he had to give up his job as the catering manager at Brighton General Hospital to become her permanent carer. He was in his prime. He can never go on holiday and rarely goes out socially. As well as this, he looks after all his neighbours by feeding their cats/dogs/hens when they're away, making sure to draw their curtains morning and night and taking in the mail. He'll take in parcels too if we're out. He also cleans our cars for a small donation. He's always cheerful and has many hilarious stories to tell. Every Christmas time, our community has a Christmas Carols procession around the local streets, when we collect money for a different charity each year, and end up at someone's house for mulled wine and mince pies in the street. Paul always dresses up as Father Christmas, and goes from door to door with his collecting bucket. He has a daughter and two grand-daughters who he often looks after and takes and fetches them to and from playgroup. Nothing is ever too much for him. I don't know what we'd do without him. Thank you and Merry Christmas, Vivien Eliades"

"I would like to nominate my daughter Alison Prendiville for an award and mention for her heroic fight to survive Lymphoma Leukemia Cancer and removal of Liver and Diaphram in late 2006 all of which was caused from wrongful diagnosis at the earlier stages - Indigestion - Gall Stones - Liver Tumor and eventually Liver Cancer. She survived the removal of the liver due to the tumor being 15centimetres and the Cancer had spread to the Diaphram as well. But only to be told after surgery that she had leukemia and had to be treated with massive Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy to keep her alive. Melanie Prendiville, Alison Ushers' Mother."

I'd like to nominate Plane Stupid. I have no connection with them but admire them tremendously because they're the onlhy group that seems capable ot drawing attention to the hell and stupidity of airport expansion. Elizabeth Balsom.

Hello! I would like to nominate for a New Year's Honour: Mabel and Donald Jackson. Their decency and generosity are unparalleled. Their employees (they run a small business) and their friends and family, count themselves very fortunate to have these two people in their lives. Recently, Mabel and Donald paid off a debt of mine that I've had hanging around my neck, like a millstone, for years. The quality of my life has improved so much since this amazingly generous action. They truly care about others and have contributed enormously to the well-being of many,many people. They don't talk about what they do,they just get on with it; to them it all seems to come as naturally as breathing! Thank you! Julie Hazelwood, Bath.

My 78-year-old husband is my nomination please - Oxford physics graduate, climber of university buildings and mountains, colour television pioneer, computer whizz, crazy skier, sailor of a 100-year-old X-boat and now a Parkinsons Disease sufferer. A splendid eccentric, worthy of you and your programme's content, Eddie. And please continue the double act with Nils - you make financial meltdown SO attractive. Amanda Hobson

"If you really really really want to make a difference then give Julie Hamilton from www.nlpr.org.uk the" treasured"? ...iPM award. (don't let this go to your head too much.---.praise is all good & well but we don't want big Egos...)
People so often nominate PEOPLE who do something for OTHER PEOPLE but there are SOME PEOPLE who dedicate their lives to helping unwanted, neglected, discarded non-PEOPLE (?)and they don't get many thanks for all the voluntary, difficult , 24/7 work they do. They are expected to clear up all the mess human & non-human people leave behind --in other words, they perform a formidable task by solving 2 problems at one go....who could possibly beat that??! Give the award to Julie...or else........!!!!!!..:-) yours in expectation, Hella Gamper"

"I would like to nominate my wife, Dr Denise Adams. She wears many hats, all with great aplomb, success and style. She is the senior partner in her General Practice, a wonderful doctor (i am a doctor too, and wish i was as good - she refers to me so I can tell!), loved by her patients and colleagues. She manages to make her practice Significant Events meetings something that all the staff attend and enjoy. Which is quite a talent. She contributes to local and national guidelines, and betrays a wisdom in her decision making which is often almost supernatural (well by my reckoning anyway). She is a marvelous wife of 36yrs, my companion & my best friend, and wonderful mother to our children. Phil Adams"

"Hello! I would like to nominate my Dad for a New Year's Honour. He is an absolute star in so many ways! He looks after my Mum who has had MS for over 20 years - he goes to work and earns the money, then he comes home, cooks dinner, does the washing up, helps her into the bath and generally does things for her whenever she needs him to. He also looks after his mother, my Nana, who is nearly 90 - although she's doing pretty well for an octogenarian, she does need a helping hand every now and then, with going to the shops and things. Ellie Rowe-Parratt"

"Think we should "knight" Professor Pete Coffey for his breakthrough work to cure blindness caused by AMD (age related macular degeneration) - please see the work at The London Project - A Cure for Blindness Website on www.thelondonproject.org . Best regards, Michael Cross"

"Halifax, Saturday. I nominate Yang Peiyi. The world would be delighted. Blank looks? Here's a clue:

No look
Bad luck
Miss Sing
Beijing

Regards, IH"

I should like to nominate my father Per Jacobsen.

He was involved with the Ealing Philanthropic Institution for more than 50 years, organising endless fundraising events and flag days. He trained in victim support and organised outings of 6 coaches of old and needy people to the seaside every year as well as an annual Christmas dinner for 80 or more people. He distributed money to poor families or elderly individuals every Christmas as well as during the year in cases
of hardship. He also helped out at the Hanwell Carnival for some
years. At the age of 88 he is still looking after two sets of almshouses in Ealing comprising 8 flats for elderly people with a low income.
He collects the rents, finds new tenants and organises all the necessary maintenance work and does the accounts. At the age of 86 he learnt how to use a computer and travels the world by train.....Beverley Atkinson

"I write to second the nomination for Morris Marshal of the Northcott Theatre in Exeter.
Morris's biggest acheivement is the quality of the characters he has nurtured over so many years. I am not refering to technical abilities, but the character and personality that the individuals evolve under his guidence. Not even the most devout religious school brings forth such marvellously well rounded individuals. Peter Hart"

I should like to nominate my mother, Mrs Marguerite Crill, who is lives alone in Jersey, aged 95,without carers, keeping bees, still driving, still cheerful and enjoying the magic of life and making new friends. She is an amazing, magical person who worked in MI5 in the war, and with my father always kept and still does, now widowed, keep an open house where there was and still is always a welcome round the table. 

A sensitive musician, she can no longer play the piano, but she still takes on new ideas, finishes the Sudoku and the crossword, gardens, and battles through increasing frailty with humour.

Go on! Salute someone of great years and courage. Jacqueline King, Castle Cary.

We should like an honour for the 600+ voluntary stewards at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, please. Don and Shiela MacLean.

I would like to nominate my husband.- Michael Edward Garrett of MJA car Sales.
He is amazing - At the age of 5 he contracted polio. Which has left him without the use of his legs & confined to a wheelchair. He was one of the last group of chidren who contracted this illness , before mass vacinations took place. He spent several years in hospital, in an iron lung. He was lucky enough to be given a place at the boarding school for children with physical disabilities - Lord Mayor Trewloar. There he discovered he was not that 'disabled'. Cutting a long story Michael has created & grown a very succesful Car sales /Car rental business. He built up his business from selling cars from home, to now having 3 garages. He works 7 days a week, leads by example, has never been unemployed. He is an inspiration for the disabled & self employed.
Within the motor trade he is a legend. Mary Garrett

I would like to second a nomination I heard on tonights program. Maurice Marshall, Chief Electrician of the Northcott Theatre Exeter deserves the award. I wasn't a trainee of his but I would have been a better theatre electrician if I had been. Maurice has been moving the standards of training in the world of theatre forwards for as long as I have known him. Please give Maurice due consideration for this honour. Thanks, Dave Blencowe

Fencing is not normally seen as a very inclusive sport. Unfortunately with good reason, the expensive safety equipment makes the exciting, athletic sport off limits to many people. That's why I'd like to nominate Peter Russel for an honour. Fulltime teacher-in-training by day but sword-wielding fencing coach by night. Pete founded Star Sword club a couple of years ago now and runs training sessions in some of the more disadvantaged areas of Cardiff: Splott and Canton. Training and all the equipment are provided for under £10 per month for Under 16s. Thanks to the countless hours of hard work put into it the club now runs several nights a week and caters to beginners through to highly experienced and competitive fencers.

On top of all this Pete also set up the Oxfam Open. This is a normal competition on the national Open circuit but donates all of its profits to charity. In its inaugural year it raised just over £3,000 for Oxfam. Jon Harris.

Hi, I'd like to put in a vote for Muriel who you mentioned in yesterday's broadcast - she's the lady that collects the breast milk for the John Radcliffe Hospital. She is also part of the SSNAP (Supporting Sick Newborns and their Parents) charity at the JR and knits the world's most charming toys. Our baby is due to be born at the JR shortly and awaiting him/her is one of Muriel's finest cats. The world would be a better place with more people like Muriel. Thanks! Debra

My nomination is Maurice Marshal, the Chief Electrician at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter. He's been running a training course there since 1970 and is about to retire, having trained a large number of UK theatre technicians in his time. Thanks Jon Primrose.

My wife, Pam, and I live opposite a lady who deserves a medal. Living by Audrey Ryder, who must be in her late 70's, is like having one's own private policeman living by you. Mike Reece

Dear all at ipm, I'd like to dominate my husband, Richard, who acts as shopper, driver, cleaner, marionette-carver and chief bottle washer for me and our 3 year old daughter. I have MS and in 2008 he went part-time, not so much to care for me, ( although he does act, to all intents and purposes as my carer) for the following reason: When, as a first time, and somewhat older father, he asked his dad what he would do differently raising his children, he replied ' go part time and watch my childen grow up'- Richard took this advice to heart and its exactly what he has done. He has been brilliant for so many reasons, and he is proving to be a fantastic, hands on dad. Constance and I have benefited from his being around more - he deserves an award! Thanks, Harriet Connides

My nomination is for someone who is somewhat known and who is very sadly overlooked. Mr Harry Patch of Wells Somerset is the world's last survivor from the battles of the Western front in World War One. His achievements are too numerous to mention here, and yet the New years honours continually overlooks him. Alan Dun

I would like to nominate Mr David Cummings of Christleton Chester. He was, before retirement, the Headmaster of the local primary school and can remember the names and faces of all the youngsters he taught. He is involved in numerous projects in this village. We all wonder how many hours he has in his day. Judith Butt

I'm Robert Boulter. My nominee is Karen Nooney. She as Social Worker in Northampton. You probably won't get too many of these! Why nominate her?
Karen runs, for Northamptonshire CC, the Independent Visitor Volunteer service for children in care or foster homes. This is legal requirement to offer a non paid volunteer to each child who asks to have one. Karen job is to train the volunteers and the difficult job of matching volunteers to children. The children come first as it is essential that these already unlucky children are not let down by bad matches or by volunteers who do not take their responsibilities seriously, as the volunteers can and should be come the only impartial support entirely there for the child. They are not part of the system and are not paid, so they can soon come to be seen by the child as somebody who visits because they want too and not because they are paid to or have another reason. This is not in any way to say the professionals don't do a very good job but volunteers are there for a different reason and the relationship could last many years even way past the attaining of 18 years. Many children can more home many times and this often means changing schools, friends and social workers but the volunteer undertakes to still visit and be a constant. Obviously, if this nomination helps to produce more volunteers that would be wonderful but the nomination is for Karen. The responsibility is awesome as she needs to ensure no child is let down and that the volunteers are correctly match and supported.

Consider a star rising in the field of Paediatric OT. She is Nikki Chapman SROT, working in the community surrounding Lichfield in Staffs. Nikki is peerless in her ability to connect with Children of all needs, parents and the social and medical teams. Constantly praised for her technical and management abilities, she's another lady balancing home and work life, raising our 3 year old son too. Yes she's my wife but you needn't take my word for it, as I'm told her parents have written in to MP's and parliamentary leaders too. In scope she has to deal with the inappropriate referral to the child protection cases, often going into peoples homes alone in the course of duty. If ever someone could help work through what's wrong with Child protection methods and reality, it's her. Yours faithfully, Mr ADChapman BEng

"No arguing!" I know but here is someone who merits to be made fuss over because we ( the band ) never do and wider recognition is richly deserved. We need to find a way for him to realise how much so may people appreciate him. You have to meet him and see the work he does to know why. His unstinting work as band master/ conductor of Crumpsall Concert Band along with his wife ( Amy) alone would be sufficient for him to be chosen. In addition to this he plays in the Greater Manchester Police Band. He makes a difference to the community and those he meets. You can see some pictures on the band website. In the hope that he learns how much so many people value him. Mrs Hilary Hill.

I wish to nominate Audrey Booth of Dronfield, North Derbyshire, for an HONOUR.
Audrey has been campaigning for decades to improve the services available to mentally ill people. She has been instrumental in ensuring that Carers are recognised as being a vital part of the Mental Health services as well. If ever an award was well deserved, this is is it. Malcolm Grieve

I would like to nominate Jackie Hall - she is a remarkable lady who set up the Manx Basking Shark Watch, supported by her husband Graham. This is a wildlife group devoted to understanding basking sharks around the Isle of Man. Liz Charter

I will state an interest. I am putting my husband Allen Levy, up for your PM Honour.
He started his career as a Chartered Accountant having taken articles in the City after leaving Grammar School in the East End. In his early 30's he gave up his career as an accountant after having written a book entitled 'A Century of Model Trains' which eventually was translated into French, German and Japanese, and after many reprints is still regarded as a seminal work in what many regard as a quirky area of expertise. Nonetheless Toy and Model Railways gave been one of the most enduring pastimes over the last century. Its a world bible of an innocent pursuit of unique longevity. Charlotte Levy

I nominate The Salvation Army. The quietude of its work may mask its sustained and tenacious nature. Heroic! Anthony Briginshaw.

I would also like to nominate Dr Stephanie Goodfellow (also known as Stephanie Parkes - her married name) and Mrs Edna Rolfe who have for the last 19 years been undertaking a remarkable study of about 1,000 babies from the Isle of Man as they grew up - and are now reaching 18. This was part of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood. Liz Charter

I would like to nominate my dear friend Annie Sparrow for an honour. Annie is a single parent and an RE teacher at the school where I also work, Great Torrington Community School. Annie has had a hard life and suffered several really terrible events that would have finished off most of the rest of us. Despite this she is ever cheerful and loves life. She is always doing fun things with not only her kids but with mine and is a fab mother. Gill Clayton.

My nominee is Sindy Carmichael-Brown. She selflessly raises vast amounts of money for charity. She has done the following in the time that I've known her:
Slept in a prison overnight
Slept in a car parked in the office foyer overnight https://archive.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk/2002/10/24/154970.html
Cycled London to Cambridge
Bathed in baked beans https://quadraman.com/blogs/richard-sheppard/sindy-and-her-bean-bath
Run various breakfasts for charity
Baked cakes for charity
Done the Moon Walk
Worn fancy dress to the office on numerous occasions
Organised events where a cut of the fee goes to charity
Shaked and rattled tins and buckets to collect cash at every opportunity.
And I only know about the tip of the iceberg in terms of her fund-raising. Ann Cardus

I wish to nominate Bill Bygroves who is the Community Manager for Liverpool Football Club and the Chaplain for the Club. He is also the founder of the Bridge Chapel, a centre in a former school, that caters for all ages and abilities.

Bill is an inspiration. He has designed the Truth 4 Youth Assemblies which the Community Department give in primary and secondary schools tackling racism, bullying, substance abuse, personal relationships, gun and knife crime, and health. There is also a programme in special schools. He organises the myriad of coaching sessions in some of the most deprived areas of the UK including late night sessions for teenagers who would otherwise get into trouble with anti-social behaviour. The Respect 4 All Centre enables weekly sessions for those with visual impairment, physical disabilities, wheelchair users and learning disabilities to take part in sport and he has mentored one of the first wheelchair coaches through their FA qualification. The Tactics 4 Families programme brings families together to form better relationships. Last year the programme involved 22,000 young people. Canon Andrea Titterington

I'd like to make two nominations:

1. Gill Astarita, who died earlier this year at the far too early age of 49:
Gill worked tirelessly for several charities and most recently was Chief Executive of Volunteer Reading Help. She passionately believed in advocacy for those least able to help themselves and she believed in strong and effective organisation and fund-raising strategies. She was also enormous fun. Her husband is the Fund-raising Manager for the British Red Cross.

2. Geoffrey Lean, his wife Judy and son and daughter Owen and Eorann: Geoff (my childhood friend) is the Independent on Sunday's Environment Correspondent (see their front page this week). Their family home of many years burnt down completely exactly a year ago - fortunately no-one was in it on that particular night - and they have come through this with courage and a strong vision of how to rebuild in environmentally exemplary ways. They are great! Hilary Belden

Deepak Kuntawala: Frances Passmore

Dear Eddie and Team Please can I nominate a colleague of mine for an IPM Honour? Her name is Jackie Congram and she has worked at Clouds House as a cleaner for 25 years and retires at the end of January. Cherry Corner"

"I'd like to nominate a man called Paul Whitfield who works for BHT (www.bht.org.uk) down here in Eastbourne. He works for a local organisation encouraging and helping the homeless to find long-term, safe shelter. I met him earlier this year as he was helping a very unfortunate person who had been sleeping rough outside my premises. I learnt she had had a very tough life and was, as a result, very wary of authority and refused to put her signature to anything. Paul worked his way through the red tape, gained her trust and found her a home. A lovely person he reminded me that the true spirit of Christmas is valid all year round. I haven't been in touch since he found the place for our sleeper, who we've now seen around the town looking warm, well-nourished and relaxed. Sadly I guess a number of us are going to be looking to Paul and those like him over this next twelve months. I hope you also feel that he deserves an honour. Kind regards, Lynda Scott-Williams"

New Years Honours should only be
for Voluntary work and acts
of civilian courage. I nominate
17 year old Rescue Boat Coxswain
" Mathew Dann , Who was mentioned
in the House of Commons Early Day
Motions Monday 8th December
" Achievements of Venturers Search & Rescue " Was in command of a
Rescue Rib with over 47 rescues to his credit and 130 people whose lives might
have been at risk. Showing that given
the training opportunity and trust
there is nothing wrong with British
Youth ,and far more deserving than
a MBE given to a Mayor's Chauffer

I would like to submit 17 year old Venturer Search and Rescue Coxswain , Mathew Dann who was mentioned on December 8th in the House Commons
early day motion signed by seven M P 's. The citation congratulated Mathew who had been in Command of a Rescue Rib credited with 50
Rescues in 2008 . It showed us adults that given the training , opportunity and trust there is nothing wrong with British Youth ! Commodore Philip Pearce-Smith

I wish to nominate Mr Harry Patch, the Last Tommy. While there is yet time, the vast dead of the Great War should be honoured in the person of this man, who should, on behalf of all of these, receive a knighthood. Richard Delaney

Please consider JULIAN ATKINSON of J.C.Atkinson & Son Ltd. coffin Manufacturers, Sedling Road, Washington, Sunderland. Julian Atkinson recently recycled his Company building and re-invested the proceeds he gained from selling the site for housing into designing a new factory building, to be the most environmentally concerned. Here, the product, the buildings and services are all the most evironmentally effective possible.
For this endeavour Mr Atkinson won the Sunday Times Green Award for Green Businesses (about 15,000 were inspected) in his category and won the overall place of all categories. Jane Atkinson.

I would like to nominate Mrs Jane Wells of Saltash for an honour. She was a teacher at St Mellion Primary School where my three children have had some of the happiest years of their lives. When my eldest son was educated at another school but by Year 4, he had become increasingly unhappy and issues at school seemed constant. Things were very bad for him and he was undermined, blamed for almost every incident and made to feel useless by the staff and pupils. When he came home one night, aged 8, saying he just wanted to die, I knew we had to act. My first action was to find another school. We were fortunate that St Mellion Primary School had places available so we went to visit, hoping that we could make a fresh start. Jane was the welcoming face at the door. Jane immediately understood William, his needs and his troubles and set about making him feel like a worthwhile person again. She had an amazing understanding of how he saw the world, which was a little bit different from the rest of us at that time. Andrea Hemmens

I would like to put forward Brian Hancock for the iPM new years honours list. Brian is a retired surgeon from Lancashire who for many years has travelled to Uganda three to four times a year to treat women who require surgery to repair vaginal fistulas caused by obstructed child birth. This problem does not occur in the western world as easy access to hospitals and the ability to have a ceasarian is readily avaliable. The more complex fistula cases require very skilled surgery that takes many years to perfect. Brian has conducted more than 500 operations and also trains others to do this work. For several years the work, which is offered free to the patients, was funded through donations from friends and Brian's own generosity. In 2002 a charity - the Uganda Childbirth Injury Fund - was established to ensure continuity of funding. Brian continues with this work ( as well as assisting at the Addis Ababa fistula hospital and on Mercy Ships) with the same passion and dedication as ever and truly deserves wider recognition. Regards, Harry Ingram

Hi, I have been looking for a way to say a massive Thank You to my Mum, Hilary Holdaway, for a while - and you may have just given me the perfect way. I would LOVE my Mum to receive an iPM New Years Honour: Ruth

I nominate peter russell of splott fencing club i s. wales he has started so many children (and adults) from a deprived area on a worthwhile sport, which has given them a new outlook on life, and a better purpose - Andrew Brannon

I would like to nominate Martyn Hooper, Chairman of the Pernicious Anaemia Society, www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org. Alex Critchlow

I wish to nominate for New Year's Honours Dominique de Villepin. Marjory Hay (MA. Hons History and Literature)

We would like to nominate Suzie Bateman for an IPM New Years Honour. She has been until recently the key worker for our son, Adam, at Rowden House School in Herefordshire. Adam is fifteen years old, is at the severe end of the autistic spectrum and has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - he has highly challenging behaviours. He lives at Rowden which is about three hours from our home in Carmarthenshire. When we first met Suzie about three years ago, we were immediately struck by her dedication to her work for Adam and those in his residential unit. She ensured that we were aware of any issues effecting Adam's day daily life, and respected our views on those issues. She responded with energy and enthusiasm to the stresses of caring for Adam on a day to day basis - she is known to colleagues and others as 'Sunshine Suzie'. She is a highly effective 'team player' working with some other great people and we do hope that you will feel able to include her in your New Years Honours List. Without her work, our lives and Adam's would have been very different indeed.
Rev'd Dr. John Gillibrand Mrs. Gillian Gillibrand together with Peter Gillibrand (Adam's younger brother)

I would like to nominate my wife, Emilie Pion for an award as I think she really does deserve it. She is an amazing woman who supports everyone selflessly, not worrying about herself as long as everyone else is cared for. David Jacobs