A LLANDUDNO woman who has committed herself to supporting charities for decades has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List.

Mrs Val Conway has been an ardent supporter of the Aberconwy Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied Club (PHAB) for 35 years where she was served as treasurer and as a fundraiser. She has also helped the Shine charity, which provides support for spina bifida and hydrocephalus sufferer, for many years.

Val, worked as a carer before retirement, she said: “I became involved because my daughter Susie was born paralysed from the waist down and had to spend her life in a wheelchair. Susie died in 2001 at the age of 32. She suffered from spina bifida and hydrocephalus

“Susie loved going out and raising funds with me and together we must have raised many thousands of pounds for charity.

"We started the annual Susie Sunshine Walk along the Promenade. Susie was well known in Llandudno for her beautiful smile which people said brought sunshine into their lives.

“I think the award isn’t just for me but also for all the other people who have been involved in fundraising with me.

"I’m very happy to have my and others’ efforts recognised. I know my sons and partner will be over the moon.

“I was really surprised to get the award. When a man from the Home Office rang to tell me about it a number of weeks ago I thought it was a scammer and put the phone down on him a number of times.

"Thankfully he was persistent and kept on trying and I’m so glad he did. Susie would have been overjoyed."

PHAB clubs aim to inspire and support children, young people and adults with and without disabilities to make more of life together, breaking down community barriers and social isolation.