Chiswick Residents Included In Queen's Birthday Honours List

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Recognition for Louise Mirwitch and Craig Morley

Two Chiswick residents have spoken of their delight at being given honours in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Louise Mirwitch was appointed CBE for for services to Child Health internationally and to Midwifery in this country. Craig Morley, co-founder of youth programme The Challenge was appointed MBE for Services to Young People and to the community.

Commenting on her appointment as CBE, Louise, who has lived in Chiswick for twenty-two years said she was "chuffed, humbled and downright astonished" at being chosen for the prestigious honour.

She said; “It was always my aim to try and make things better by improving midwifery care and promoting evidence based practice. To be recognised for my contribution to midwifery is brilliant and I’m especially pleased that this recognition includes my global work.”

Louise qualified thirty-six years ago and has practiced in hospitals in Edinburgh as well as Queen Charlotte's, Hammersmith. She diversified into education in 1985 and has taught midwifery in Manchester and been a university lecturer in Swansea. She is currently Director for Midwifery for the Royal College of Midwives (RCM)

She has also worked with the International Confederation of Midwives and as co-leader of the development of global standards for midwifery regulation, now used by the World Health Organization.

Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said,“For the past 21 years Louise has been a member of staff at the RCM and has held positions including Deputy General Secretary and Director of Midwifery. This honour is highly deserved. Louise is a committed, motivated individual who does not blow her own trumpet and we are delighted that others are blowing it for her.”

Craig Morley is co-founder of The Challenge which runs youth and community programmes with the central aim of mixing diverse groups of people with each other. He is also Managing Director at Ovo, the UK's first large-scale community energy business.

Craig commented, "I was surprised and delighted to be awarded the MBE for services to young people and the community. The main reason for the award was that 7 years ago I co-founded and then led as Chief executive for six years, a charity called The Challenge."

The Challenge was founded in April 2009, by five employees and a handful of volunteers, who were concerned that with the growing diversity of Britain, it was important that different groups and individuals mixed.

Their first Summer Programme reached 158 young people in London and kick-started an organisation which has continued to expand. The programme launched that summer has become the National Citizen Service (NCS) and has reached tens of thousands of young people.

June 16, 2015