1 January 2026
OurJay Foundation British Empire Medal (BEM)
By Naomi Rees Issitt
I’ve been keeping a little secret…
I found out on Jamie’s 22nd birthday, that I have been honoured in the King’s New Years Honours 2026, with the British Empire Medal (BEM)🎖️
You all know what I’m going to say…this is absolutely not for me, it’s for my darling Jamie, who is so deserving of this honour for everything he has already changed and will continue to change in this cruel world. The lives he has saved and the impact he has had on heart safety in the community and the vital need for accessible defibrillators, makes him my absolute hero and inspiration in every single thing I do. I’m so proud, but I would give anything for him to be here to collect this honour himself. ILYM 💙
This honour is also for the most special people, Callum, Jem, Xavana and Tracey (OurJay Trustees) who support me so much, to keep OurJay Foundation going every day. They are the people who make sure I keep going when I think it’s impossible and whenever I think giving up is an option. The whole team behind OurJay deserve this honour, our volunteers, our supporters and our friends.
Just to add the cherry on top…Jamie’s favourite tv programme was Luther (his little beared dragon was named after it) and one of his favourite actors, Idris Elba, has been given a knighthood in these New Years Honours. That would really impress our Jamie, let’s hope we bump into Idris at the Royal Garden Party in the summer!
The world would be a better place if it was full of Jamies 💙🩵💙
I’m gonna do this once and only once…
Lots of love
Naomi Clare Rees Issitt BEM