Margaret Moore, 64, has been giving up her spare time for decades to help others in a variety of ways – including helping children with learning difficulties and volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at North Anston Methodist Church.

Three friends decided that Margaret should be recognised for her kindness and worked for almost a month on an application that would see the Nursery Road mum-of-three receive the prestigious gong.

“She is just one of those people who feel that nothing is too much for them. She will help anybody,” said Wendy Hardy, 67, of Woodsetts Road, North Anston.

Mrs Hardy, along with husband Jim and friend Elsie Daniels, of Portland Close, North Anston, know Margaret through being members of North Anston Methodist Church for over 30 years.

“She is a wonderful person and is the most Christian lady I have ever met. We were thrilled when we discovered she had received an MBE because she thoroughly deserves it. She has helped people all of her life and never asked for anything in return,” said Mrs Hardy.

The Queen’s birthday honours list was announced on 14th June. Mrs Moore said that she was surprised by the effort her friends had gone to in order to have her voluntary work recognised.

“I was very, very surprised and shocked. I was very humbled as I did not feel that I deserved it at all but my very good friends have worked behind the scenes and put it all together,” said Mrs Moore. “I am very touched that they went to all this trouble of doing this for me.”

As well as volunteering as a Sunday school teacher, Mrs Moore also acted as youth leader there for more than 20 years. Mrs Moore, who has two grandchildren, has also extensively volunteered for MENCAP, which supports those with learning difficulties.

She also gave up her spare time to act as a befriender for children with learning difficulties for Rotherham social services for over 10 years.

And her kind-hearted, selfless actions will be commended at a ceremony in London with royalty within the next five months.

“I am very nervous about meeting the Queen, but I am looking forward to it too. My husband will be coming with me, but I am only allowed to take three guests so I will have to make the hard decision of who to take out of my children and grandchildren,” said Mrs Moore.

Throughout the many years she has spent volunteering to help others, Mrs Moore said that she would not have been able to have accomplished her achievements without her husband of 40 years, Peter.

“Whatever I have done I would not have been able to have done without the love and support of my husband.”