THE work of a group of mums who have tried to help stem the tide of gang violence in Manchester has been recognised by the Queen.

Patsy McKie and Sheila Eccleston help run Mothers Against Violence (MAV), an organisation which tries to offer young men an alternative to a life of guns and drugs through education programmes.

Both women have had sons who have been murdered, and their tireless work has seen them receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, which recognises the unsung community.

MAV is one of more than 100 groups around the country to receive the honour, which is given only to those organisations where volunteers are judged to have regularly devoted their time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people.

Patsy's son Dorrie, 20, was shot near his home in Hulme as he tried to escape his killers in 1999, and Sheila's son Dean was gunned down in Longsight three years ago.

Passionate

Patsy said: "As a group, we're very excited to win the award, but this was not something we were looking to do when we started up. We did this because we are passionate about trying to make a difference.

Sheila said: "It just shows people are listening to us instead of just staying behind their closed doors. But there is still a lot of work to be done because there are still young men involved with guns and drugs."

Fiona Mactaggart, Minister for the Voluntary and Community Sector, said: "This annual award gives well-deserved recognition to some of the unsung heroes of our communities - groups such as Mothers Against Violence.

"Community activity such as theirs is a vital resource - it develops the individual, boosts local communities and enriches the nation. We owe them all a huge debt."

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