News

Barnet’s own recognised in 2022 New Years Honours list

A local teacher, charity co-founder and a community champion have all received honours from the Queen
By Barnet Post

Richard Evans delivering food parcels to NHS staff (Photo courtesy of Richard Evans)
Richard Evans delivering food parcels to NHS staff (Photo courtesy of Richard Evans)

Several Barnet residents and community champions have been included on 2022’s New Years Honours list.

Local teacher Dr Richard Evans, who was already a Member of the British Empire (MBE), has been made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) – with further honours awarded to community workers Joseph Lettieri and Elizabeth Jane Stoll.

Barnet resident Richard currently teaches maths at Mill Hill County High School – and was awarded an MBE for services to education back in 2003. But it was his fundraising work during the Covid-19 pandemic that won him a second honour from the Queen.

One such activity was arranging and delivering food parcels for NHS staff at the height of the pandemic. The importance of the health service became ever more apparent, when just a day after dropping off parcels at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, Richard was rushed back there as a patient after suffering a heart attack.

He has also raised funds for the Mayor of Barnet’s Charity, Livability and several others.

Of the honour, Richard said: “I was very proud to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office informing me that following the advice from the Main Honours Committee, the Prime Minister would like to put my name forward to the Queen recommending that I receive an OBE.

“I know that there are millions of us who have contributed to support the NHS and have done their best to help everybody, and I feel humble to learn that what I did has been recognised.”

Meanwhile, not one but two community workers connected to Barnet will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for their service.

Joseph Lettieri is the co-founder of Enfield-based charity Family Based Solutions, a service which supports vulnerable families and children to end the cycle of abuse. It operates in Enfield, Barnet and Haringey.

Speaking about the medal, Joseph told the Post’s sister paper Enfield Dispatch: “I was very surprised [about the award]. I am pleased because it highlights the work we do as a charity. Like many small charities we are struggling to keep going and we have had to adapt the way we work.

“When we started we were three people with full-time jobs, working in schools, but now we have got six members of staff. We want to continue expanding the services we provide.”

Elizabeth Jane Stoll was also awarded a BEM, ‘for services to the community in the London Borough of Barnet during Covid-19.’


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