Ellen awarded an MBE as a Campaigner, for services to Children’s Online Safety in the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List.

My Dad showing Jools his OBE

In this photo, Jools is admiring his grandad’s OBE with such pride. My dad even allowed him to take it to primary school for show-and-tell.

He was proud of what it represented: service and doing the right thing.

Today, I find myself wondering what Jools, this beautiful boy of mine, would think about his mum, me, receiving an MBE.

It STILL hasn’t quite sunk in. I’m just little me, trying to bring real change to protect children online, and to ensure no other parent is left to live our nightmare.

I hope Jools would understand that this was never about recognition.

It was about love and not walking away or giving up, despite how hard it has been.

As his mum, I taught Jools about truth, morals, and values, which I don’t believe social media companies have yet learned. Through him, I came to understand how deeply the online world can shape a young life, and how dangerous it can be for children.

From losing Jools came Jools’ Law, a simple but vital fight to ensure bereaved parents are not denied access to their child’s digital world, where answers may lie.

I would give this honour back in a heartbeat to have my son here. But since I cannot, I will use it exactly as it should be used. To keep pushing. To keep asking the questions others find uncomfortable. To fight for change.

For Jools.

For all the children whose lives were cut short.

And for the ones we can STILL save.

I pinky promise, Jools. I will love you forever.

#JoolsLaw #MBE #ForJools #OnlineSafety #ChildProtection #Safeguarding