Shirley Smith awarded an MBE
We’re proud to announce that our co-founder, Shirley Smith, has been awarded the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honour List 2026.
Shirley has been recognised for her tireless campaigning on suicide prevention and mental health, which continues to help shape Government policy today and has increasingly brought the issue into the public domain.
Throughout the formation and development of If U Care Share as a leading advocate on the issue, Shirley has worked tirelessly to campaign for better suicide prevention services and support for people affected by a suicide.
If U Care Share was established in 2005 by Shirley, husband Dean, and their sons Matthew and Ben, and their cousin Sarah, following the death by suicide of her eldest child Daniel O’Hare.
Shirley’s recognition shines a light on the importance of the work we do, particularly in the North East region which has the largest suicide rate in England and where suicide is the biggest killer of men aged between 20 and 55, and women’s rates have risen too.
Two years ago, after nearly 20 years of dedication to campaigning and running the charity and playing a central and heartfelt role in shaping its mission, values and enduring commitment to saving lives and supporting those affected by suicide, Shirley stepped back from the frontline and transitioned from CEO to Trustee.
Reflecting on the honour, Shirley said:
“I am, of course, hugely honoured to have been nominated and to have been given this award which is dedicated to our son, Daniel - and all loved ones who left too soon.
I would like to say that none of the work If U Care Share Foundation has achieved over the last 21 years since Daniel’s death and the charity’s formation would have been possible without the support of the team of staff, Trustess, volunteers, fundraisers, families and individuals who depend on our services.
It is through their sheer hardwork, shared belief, and commitment that I feel I was nominated.”
Shirley has bravely talked about her own and her family’s experiences after Daniel’s death and was an enthusiastic supporter of “real time surveillance” - collecting data on suspected suicides when they occur, to provide early warning of rising trends or changing patterns of risk, without waiting for coroners’ inquests which can often take months or years.
Recognising celebrities and footballers can provide life-saving support on this important issue, for the last decade, Shirley and the charity have engaged in initiatives to garner support - particularly with the well-known personalities from male-dominated sports who can deliver important messages to young men struggling with their mental health.
Her son Matthew is now our CEO and he too has continued to campaign to lift the stigma of suicide and raise public awareness.
Matthew shares, "This moment brings such pride for me and my family. I reflect back to when If U Care Share was nothing more than a wristband and my mam took it upon herself to try and make a change in the world of suicide prevention. From our spare room, her hard work has saved countless lives, a force of nature who would do anything for anyone. I am hugely proud of everything she has achieved."
Shirley is a member of the Government’s advisory group on suicide prevention, and remains a valued member despite stepping down from her role as CEO of If U Care Share Foundation.
She has worked endlessly with the police over this time and If U Care Share Foundation and police in the North East came together to establish a pioneering real-time project which has now been adopted across the country and is a key component of the national suicide prevention strategy.
Please join us in congratulating Shirley!
