A mother who founded a helpline for relatives of people killed in road accidents has been awarded an MBE by the Queen.

Carole Whittingham, of Brighouse, set up Support and Care after Road Death following the death of her 27-year-old son Steven, who was killed by the driver of a stolen car.

Mrs Whittingham received the honour at a ceremony yesterday at Buckingham Palace.

She said: “It makes you humble because you don’t think you are doing anything really special. I would like to thank all our volunteers for all their hard work in making our organisation a success. Without them we would be nothing.”

The helpline service, which is available every day of the year between 9am and 9pm, is staffed by trained volunteers and has helped hundreds of families traumatised by road death since it was started in 1999.

The organisation also offers counselling services and legal advice as well as school workshops.