My dps have a neighbour in her 80s who has been walking the streets for over 40 years for Poppy Day
Couldn't agree more Bestthingever . I posted above how I was involved in nominating a fabulous woman who volunteered for a charity for 10 years and ended up chairing it. She had a very highpowered full on job but she totally reformed the charity.
A nomination was sent in for her but she got nothing - not even the lowliest recognition - it's really pathetic. The deadline for her has passed (the honours commitee say 3 years post nomination is dead). And as someone earlier said - a public honour means a lot to someone like that - where it is unexpected and a real pat on the back for giving up your time.
For Beckham the grumpy outrage is plainly all about the brand of SIR DAVID. If it was about recognition he'd be pleased with an OBE.
I hate seeing celebrities get awards really for just doing their job in a high profile way. Do you know what? If you are on TV, it's easy to help a charity as your fame is enough. No matter how trivially attained - Big Brother, Shagging a Footballer, Reality TV, failed X Factor audition. You just need to lend your name and turn up and demand first class flights are paid for.
For non-famous people, contribution is in real effort - blood sweat and tears.
Part of me would love to post the name and details of this fantastic woman here - but I wouldn't because she never knew and she'd be mortified. But this is really a cause the DM should take up because as you say there are lots of people like this who make a real contribution and get no recognition - because they aren't famous, don't have PR and honours committee lobbyists.
I found the stories today about communications between Beckham PR and the honours committee amazing. It's terrible really - what chance to the people like the woman I mentioned have to get any recognition for really hard effort if they don't have PR lobbyist? It's an absolute disgrace.
Personally I'd never nominate someone having been on the periphery of this experience. It was a lot of effort for a great woman who'd made a real contribution in terms of volunteering for nothing. We all wasted our time.
Some media organisation should do an investigation into the honours system I say. Sorry for rant but it really makes me cross when I see these no or low-effort celebs swanning in to pick up an honour.
Very very cross. Angry even.