A PENSIONER who was named on the New Year’s honours list for her six decades of raising funds for charity says she is ‘overwhelmed’ by the award.

Christine Williams, from High Legh, has been awarded a BEM – British Empire Medal – for her services to charity.

The 76-year-old has been fundraising for Save the Children for 60 years, helping to found the Gatley and Cheadle branch in 1959.

She had been described as the ‘driving force’ behind more than 100 charity campaigns, and is also a qualified tennis coach working with children with special needs from Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club.

Ms Williams, who is the fourth generation of her family to have supported Save the Children, said: “I have always been involved with charities since I was a little girl, raising money to help others less fortunate than ourselves.

“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 Reformed 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.”