A FORMER Kemp Hospice chairman, a Citizens’ Advice Bureau worker and volunteer to help Kidderminster’s homeless have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Nigel Preece, executive officer for operations at the Department for Work and Pensions, has been awarded an MBE for services to welfare and voluntary service to the homeless in Kidderminster.

Kidderminster resident Isobel Dale - for services to hospice care - and Jennifer Jester, for services to the Wyre Forest Citizens’ Advice Bureau, have both been awarded the British Empire Medal, it was announced today.

Mrs Dale, 72, who was Kemp Hospice chairman between 2002 and last year, said she felt “very, very delighted and very humbled” at the honour.

“I feel as if I am just one of the many people who has made Kemp a success,” she said. “I enjoyed my time as leader and chairman of Kemp and I did have a tremendous team around me and I should be receiving this on behalf of everybody’s efforts.”

The Jelleyman Close resident was instrumental in growing the charity in the town and led a move to its current headquarters in Mason Road.

She added: “There was a real need in the community at the time for something for patients and the families at the end of life and this was something I felt very strongly about.”

Mrs Dale, who is married and has two daughters and two grandsons, is still involved with Kemp and is chairman of Kemp House Trust.

A date has not yet been arranged for the trio to collect their awards.