Queen's award for South Tyneside fundraiser

Julie Dudgeon was presented with a British Empire Medal for services to charitable fundraising in the North East after she was announced as a beneficiary in the Queen’s birthday honours list in June.

Mrs Dudgeon was presented with her award during a special ceremony held in Jarrow Town Hall by The Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Susan Winfield, which was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Councillor Richard Porthouse and his wife Patricia.

The mother of two, from South Shields, was presented with the medal in recognition of her tremendous fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Care and St Clare’s Hospice in Jarrow.

Mrs Dudgeon has raised in the region of £10,000 by taking part in various activities and events including the Great North Run, the Great North Bike Ride and climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland in 2014.

The Mayor said: “I am delighted that Mrs Dudgeon has been recognised by the Queen for her outstanding fundraising efforts that have gone on to help many worthy causes that support people across the Borough and the region.

“It is a great honour for her to be receiving a British Empire Medal and I’m thrilled she is getting this well-deserved recognition. It’s wonderful to celebrate Mrs Dudgeon’s hard work and dedication to helping others through her extensive charitable work.”

Mrs Dudgeon said: “I was both nervous and excited about today but I was thrilled it was a local presentation as my close family and friends were there which made the event more special.

“I’m really honoured to be recognised in this way and I am just as excited about the award as I was in May last year when I found out I’d would be receiving a British Empire Medal.

“I have always done various things for charity and I couldn’t have raised so much or taken part in so many events without the brilliant support I receive throughout my fundraising.”