The Cabinet minister argues that honours lists can be made “even more representative” – and is asking for the public’s help to discover “extraordinary and deserving unknown heroes” who might have gone unnoticed.
TV presenter and writer Ms McVey also wants a greater variety of people from “more walks of life” involved in deciding who best should receive an honour.
Her call came as famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment were rewarded in the King’s New Year honours alongside often unknown but extraordinary charity workers, community stalwarts and tireless fundraisers.
There are gongs for Lionesses’ keeper Mary Earps, for rugby league MND charity fundraiser Rob Burrow and for cricket hero Stuart Broad.
While showbiz stars who pick up honours include singing legend Dame Shirley Bassey, veteran radio DJ Tony Blackburn plus the broadcaster and Daily Express columnist James Whale.
Writing in the Express, Esther McVey says future award lists must be more representative of “our entire, brilliant country and all the extraordinary people in it”.
A Barnardo’s child, the minister urges people to nominate someone special next year, saying: “I want to see more people from more walks of life reading those applications and helping recommend who is honoured.”
This year’s everyday heroes include online safety campaigner Ian Russell, nine-year-old double amputee fundraiser Tony Hudgell and Westminster terror attack survivor Travis Frain.
Rail worker Rizwan Javed, who has helped stop 30 suicides, and Louis Johnson, 17, who raised £80,000 for charity, are also among those hailed for a “commitment to selflessness and compassion”.
Tony receives a British Empire Medal and is thought to be the youngest-ever honours recipient.
Ian Russell, father of Molly, 14, who died from an act of self-harm after viewing damaging social media, is made an MBE for services to child safety online.
He set up the Molly Rose Foundation charity and contributed to the Online Safety Bill.
Asked what Molly would have made of his gong, he said: “Because she was such a caring person I think she would have been tremendously proud of being able to help people who may be struggling with their mental health.”
Station assistant Rizwan is also made an MBE. He has been trained to spot people who are at risk of taking their lives around the London Underground’s Elizabeth Line and has the personal skills needed to intervene by chatting with them.
Over 10 years, he has received numerous awards in recognition of his lifesaving. He said: “It is emotional because a lot of the individuals have been older than myself.
“If we’re all honest we all wake up in the morning and we’re fighting a battle of some sort. It’s how we deal with it.”
He said of his award: “I’m still trying to just take it on board. It feels surreal. It’s amazing and I just hope I can continue the good work making a small difference.”
Louis is given a BEM for his fundraising for a total of 18 charities near his Wolverhampton home.
The teen developed a taste for good deeds after needing medical treatment and said his most memorable event was sitting in a bath of baked beans for four hours.
Louis, who first raised money aged two, collected £20,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he has been treated for chest and leg conditions.
Travis recovered from horrific injuries sustained in the 2017 Westminster Bridge terror attack and set up the Resilience in Unity project, which shares stories of those affected by terrorism in order to create better outcomes.
Other honoured heroes include Neil and Angela Dickson, who are given OBEs for their work helping people with brain tumours, following the death of their daughter. Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, whose best friend was murdered by her husband, is made a CBE for services to people affected by domestic abuse and murder, while Elizabeth Craig Ovens, 79, a butcher for more than six decades, is an MBE.
Michelle Souther, 54, founded charity Street Paws providing free veterinary care for pets belonging to people who are homeless and Camilla CJ Bowry, 43, set up Sal’s Shoes, which sends footwear to poor children all over the world – both received OBEs.
Gillian Jayne Millane and Hannah Louise O’Callaghan – the mother and cousin of British backpacker Grace Millane who was murdered in New Zealand – are given OBEs for founding charity Love Grace to “empower victims of domestic abuse”.
