Aspinall and Hicks receive CBEs
Margaret Aspinall and Trevor Hicks today received CBEs from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in recognition of their campaigning and support on behalf of the Hillsborough families for almost 26 years.
The pair had both been named on the New Year Honours list for their tireless efforts since 96 supporters tragically lost their lives in the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on April 15, 1989.
Aspinall and Hicks are chair and president respectively of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, which has helped to force the fresh inquests into Hillsborough that are currently taking place in Warrington.
Among the 96 fans who died at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest were Aspinall's son, James, and Hicks' daughters, Sarah and Victoria.
Aspinall said: "It is quite obvious that she [the Queen] knew about Hillsborough because she did say 'Things are better for you all now, hopefully? Things are looking a little bit different now'.
"I know she cannot say much about it, I just said 'yes'."
Hicks said: "I am very proud, chuffed today, but it is tinged with a lot of wishing it had all never happened.
"It is our day in many respects but we do share it with all the other families - and we must remember there are a few people who have died and they are not here to see the progress we have made.
"This is an award for us as individuals but I do think it is indicative of the campaign."