FUNDRAISING stalwart Christine Williams has been honoured for her services to Save the Children.

Mrs Williams, from High Legh, has been awarded the BEM in the New Year’s Honours List.

Mrs Williams has been a member of the Gatley and Cheadle branch of Save the Children for 60 years, since the age of 16, and is one of the branch’s longest-serving members.

She has been a driving force behind branch fundraisers, being directly involved in the events or supporting others in their fundraising efforts. 

Save the Children works in 68 countries around the world.

The awarding of the British Empire Medal also acknowledges Mrs Williams' fundraising as part of her long-standing service to Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club.

She raised money for Save the Children with the support of young members of the tennis club.

Supporting good causes runs in Mrs Williams’ family, with her parents having raised money for charity.

Four generations of her family have been involved in the Gatley and Cheadle branch, Mrs Williams’ late mother Chris Lang until the age of 92, and now her daughter Fiona Redfern and granddaughter Oriel.

“I have always been involved with charities since I was a little girl, raising money to help others less fortunate than ourselves,” she said.

“I am overwhelmed to have been nominated for the British Empire Medal; I cannot believe it – I am absolutely flabbergasted.

"It came completely out of the blue, and I could not have done what I have without the great support of all my friends, in particular at Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club and through the Altrincham United Reform Church, which I belong to.

“The award is a great honour, and my mother would have been very proud to think of four generations of our family being involved with Save the Children."

Mrs Williams coached for more than 30 years at the tennis club, including teaching special needs children, and still runs a ladies morning session on a Wednesday, at which she plays.

A New Year’s Honours spokesman said: “Mrs Williams’ enthusiasm is infectious, and she is instrumental in bringing many others into the community.”