Timperley man Gareth Mallion has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his work in helping to build Manchester’s Nightingale Hospital in just 14 days.
The 40-year-old Network Rail operations manager volunteered to run the logistics at the hospital, coordinating and leading teams from various sectors to make sure the hospital was set up smoothly.
He worked 13-14 hour days, seven days a week, to co-ordinate deliveries for everything the hospital needed, from building materials to medical equipment.
He’s now been recognised for his work with an MBE.
The father of four said: “It was an incredible achievement and I feel proud to have played a part in it. It was a great experience and I met some incredible people.
“There were so many different disciplines and so many people there, but everyone worked together and there was no mither, no arguments.
“It was chaos though – I was trying to be the calming influence that made sure everything got from A to B to where it needed to be.
“You’d walk through the hall in the morning and when you walked back past the same spot later on a wall had been built, or a cubicle had gone up,” he added to the MEN.
“For me I thought some of my family members or people I know could end up in here, so when the SOS went out at work I dropped everything. I didn’t think twice about it.
“It’s really something to be look back on and be proud of what it means.”
Elizabeth Vega, CEO of Altrincham-based Informed Solutions Group, has been awarded an OBE for services to international trade and digital transformation.
Under her leadership, the company – based at the Old Market in Old Market Place – has developed world class capabilities in creating enterprise-level digital platforms and solutions that transform complex business operations.
She said: “I am delighted and humbled for this huge honour and in particular to be recognised for work across what I believe are two vitally important areas that will support and leverage recovery for the UK and ease the transition as we leave the European Economic Community.”
Sir Graham Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, added: “Elizabeth Vega is an impressive businesswoman making an outstanding contribution locally, nationally and internationally. All in all, her impact has been immense, and I am delighted that her contribution has been recognised.”
Hale resident Amanda Melton, principal of Nelson and Colne College and director of the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership, received a CBE for services to further education.
She told the Times Education Supplement: “I’ve had the complete privilege to work in FE colleges for 26 years and counting. I can’t think of a sector which makes a greater difference for people, place and skills.
“My biggest fan, my lovely Dad, died three years ago. He’d have been completely blown away that his little girl was honoured in this way.”
And England and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who now lives in Altrincham, has become an MBE .
The 22-year-old campaigned for the government to allow about 1.3 million children to claim free school meal vouchers in England’s summer holidays during the coronavirus pandemic.
