New Years Honours for Eamonn and Margo

With the recent reveal of King Charles’ New Years Honours list for 2025, we were delighted that amongst the host of famous faces and celebrities, two members of the Prevent Breast Cancer family received awards.

Eamonn O’Neal, chairman of Prevent Breast Cancer was awarded an OBE, and Prevent Breast Cancer Patron, Margo Cornish, an MBE.

Both were honoured with their awards in recognition of their exceptional dedication to supporting charities, and the entire team at Prevent Breast Cancer offer their warmest congratulations and appreciation for the remarkable impact they have made.

Eamonn O’Neal OBE

Eamonn has been a passionate supporter of many charities and organisations in the northwest. He joined Prevent Breast Cancer as a trustee in 2022, becoming chairman in January 2023, bringing his unique experience to the role and helping to guide the charity through the turbulent years caused by the pandemic. He is also the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, a post he secured for the second time in March 2024 – making him one of the few High Sheriffs in the country to be appointed to the post more than once.

Eamonn commented:

I’m very grateful for the nomination and support but most pleased that this honour reflects the amazing work done by the many varied charities I’ve been associated with over the years. It remains a privilege to help in whatever way I can, whether that’s a trustee, patron, chair or supporter. I’m so proud of the work being done by Prevent Breast Cancer, the national charity based in my hometown of Wythenshawe. It is the only charity wholly dedicated to predicting and preventing breast cancer by being all-in with the science and research.

Margo Cornish MBE

Margo was appointed a Patron of Prevent Breast Cancer in January 2020 following her tremendous support with BreastFest and the first ever BooBee campaign, of which she founded. For her latest campaign, Margo, together with her amazing ambassadors (affectionately known as Boobees) helped raise over £60,000 for Prevent Breast Cancer in 2024! Over the years, she has worked with and supported many charities, including Teenage Cancer Trust and Maggie’s Manchester, raising over £1.5 million in the process.

This award is for all of us, and I look forward to more special moments in the coming years. It takes a can-do team to accomplish the dream, and you all know who you are. Today I salute YOU and your hard work over the years, showing the world that you can live well following a cancer diagnosis.

As a patron for Prevent Breast Cancer, I will continue to be an advocate for the charity and its goals. I look forward to continuing to seek out opportunities to promote the charity and awareness of breast cancer as well as looking for ways to fundraise to help continue the valuable work of the team at The Nightingale Centre.

Prevent Breast Cancer’s Chief Executive Nikki Barraclough added:

Eamonn and Margo are such valued and treasured members of the charity, and I am thrilled that they have been included in this year’s New Year Honours. It is an incredible honour, and something they are completely deserving of.

Everyone at Prevent Breast Cancer would like to congratulate Eamonn and Margo once again. Their dedication to our charity is truly remarkable and inspires us all, and we’re incredibly grateful for their unwavering support.