A CHARITY worker said she was overwhelmed after receiving an honour in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

June Arrowsmith, from Darlington, was awarded a British Empire Medal for her “services to fundraising overseas”.

The honour comes after more than 30 years of charity work.

She has been working with the Darlington-based charity Mission Marts since the charity started in 1996 and is a trustee and treasurer there.

However Miss Arrowsmith's charity work started before Mission Marts with her early contributions starting in 1973.

Asked how she feels about her recent honour, she said: “I’m bowled over really, I could not believe it.

“I am amazed; I am overwhelmed I never thought this would happen.”

Overall it is estimated that she has helped to raise £206,803, this has been achieved through weekly sales of goods at her church, Hollybush Christian Fellowship, in Thirsk, along with bigger sales at Northallerton Town Hall, each event at the town hall raises around £1000.

When asked about how she got in to charity work, Miss Arrowsmith said: “Many years ago a friend was out in Kenya.

“When he came home he asked if there was any way to get clothes out there.

“We started sending boxes out, but then the Kenyan government stopped this.

“So I asked Hollybush if it was possible to start a stall and sent the money made directly out there.”

The money raised is sent directly to missionaries and organisations such as Christian African Relief Trust or Testimony Faith Homes.

All of her work like all of those who work with Mission Marts is voluntary and unpaid, so that all money raised can go direct to those who need it.

Over the years, Miss Arrowsmith has coordinated the charity and has helped to inspire others to help out, which can be seen from the support letters sent with her BEM nomination.

Along with raising money, she has sent many items out to countries like Romania and across Africa.

Sewing machines and typewriters have been sent, sewing machines so that where possible more clothing can be made and typewriters so that skills can be gained for education.