A VOLUNTEER who has been helping her village community and beyond for over 50 years has been recognised for her efforts in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Hailey resident Ann Evans has been involved in charity work since she moved to the village in 1968.

She has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

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Mrs Evans, 73, said: “The first thing I did was fundraise for the school and it’s grown from there, doing jumble sales and running a knitting and natter group for the last 15 years.

“We send blankets to Uganda and breast cancer charities, and to the John Radcliffe for chemotherapy patients.

“When I retired, I had all these ideas and I knew I wouldn’t just sit down.

“We’ve helped 30 organisations over the years, ranging from the Blue Cross to Help for Heroes.”

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Mrs Evans said she has known about the award for the best part of the year but has had to keep it to herself.

“It’s been such a strange year so most of the time I’d actually forgotten about it,” she said.

“The award is not just for me but all my friends who have helped and my husband Philip for his part in all the things he does.”