King Charles III's Birthday Honours List includes an award for Joan Willett, a 106-year-old fundraiser who has raised more than £60,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
Joan has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her fundraising achievements, which saw her walk more than 17 miles up and down a hill outside her care home during Covid lockdown.
She was born when King Charles’s great grandfather, George V, was on the throne.
The former teacher, who has survived two heart attacks, has undergone bypass surgery and a heart valve replacement.
She had been inspired to carry out the fundraising feat by the late Sir Captain Tom Moore, who raised more than £38m for NHS charities during the pandemic.
“Having been a heart patient herself she knows just how important research is, and the £60,000 she raised will fund more research to help countless others live long and fulfilling lives – just like Joan,” said BHF chief executive Charmaine Griffiths earlier this year.
Meanwhile the youngest Birthday Honours award winner is 18-year-old Junior Jay Frood, who also receives a BEM, for services to vulnerable children.
Charity leaders honoured
Others in the charity sector to be honoured include Jamie Ward Smith, the chair of funder the Co-op Foundation, who has been awarded an MBE for services to young people and charity.
“I’m shocked and thrilled in equal measure to be recognised in the King’s first Official Birthday Honours List – I didn’t think things like this happened to people like me,” said Ward-Smith.
“I am so passionate and have so much love for the charity sector and I’d like to thank every person who’s helped me on my journey. Young people and the power of digital have been cornerstones throughout my career, and I hope to continue supporting both in any way I can in the coming years.”
We have published The King’s Birthday Honours List 2023.
— Cabinet Office (@cabinetofficeuk) June 17, 2023
The List showcases the amazing work of individuals across the UK and overseas.
We hope you will join us in congratulating all our recipients for their exceptional contributions.https://t.co/3Np2wuyxNN#BDHonours23 pic.twitter.com/a6z8ZoVFTA
Elsewhere, World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers has been awarded an OBE for services to equine welfare.
Owers, who has been CEO of the charity since 2008, said: “It is a privilege to be entrusted with leading the work of World Horse Welfare, and I am hugely thankful to my team and my family as this is as much for them as for me.
“What I find inspiring is that recognition at this level demonstrates the continued relevance of horses to society and the part we all play in protecting their welfare for future generations.”
Another charity leader to be honoured is Jen Hardy, founder of Cancer Card charity, the national charity set up to support those with cancer.
“Cancer Card is more than a charity to me,” said Hardy, who has been awarded an MBE.
“It is a labour of love inspired by my own journey and driven by the desire to bring hope and support to others battling cancer. We understand that cancer affects more than the patient and are focussed on providing access to the support needs of partners, families and friends too as they try to come to terms with the world of cancer.”
Former Charity Commission chair William Shawcross has been knighted in the King’s honours. Earlier this year Shawcross had chaired a review into the Home Office’s Prevent Strategy, that had been criticised by human rights charities. Concerns centred on whether it would “seriously interrogate the strategy.
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