The mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack, has said she is “humbled” after being recognised for her work in counter-terrorism.
Figen Murray has been appointed OBE in the New Year Honours.
Her son was one of 22 people killed in the bombing on 22 May 2017.
She has since campaigned for legislation known as Martyn’s Law, to step up security measures in public places.
Ms Murray, who recently graduated with a Master’s degree in counter-terrorism has also given talks in schools on the dangers of radicalisation.
The mother-of-five, from Stockport, said her world had “completely changed” when her 29-year-old son died, adding: “I have channelled all of my energy into action to prevent violent terrorist acts from happening again.”
Former therapist Ms Murray said she had “frozen on the spot” after seeing a photo of the 22-year-old suicide bomber, Salman Abedi.
She said: “[I was] thinking, ‘you’re so young, why on earth would you do that?’
“I knew nothing about terrorism but I was shocked that it was somebody so young and I decided I needed to do something about it.”
‘Cycle of hate’
Ms Murray said she can “hear a pin drop” during her talks in schools, which end with pupils pledging acts of kindness.
“I decided very early on that I actually want to forgive. Somebody has to start breaking the cycle of hate and anger,” she said.
In February, the government launched a public consultation on Martyn’s Law and is expected to publish its conclusions in 2022.
Ms Murray said: “I think [Martyn] would be quite touched that I do a lot of this work in memory of him – not just in memory of him but in memory of the 21 others who died in the attack as well.”
Source: BBC News