MILTON KEYNES resident has been listed on the New Years Honours list for her outstanding charity work.

Fiona Copeland has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her tireless work for respiratory charity Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Family Support Group.

PCD is a rare genetic condition affecting one in 10,000 people in the UK, if left untreated it can lead to a form of lung damage known as a ‘bronchiectasis’.

Her sons Euan and Gregor were diagnosed with PCD aged 6 and 4 after being incorrectly diagnosed with asthma causing irreversible lung damage.

Due to her personal experiences, Mrs Copland has chaired the PCD Family Support Group on an entirely voluntary basis for 17 years  until June 2020 transforming it into the professional organisation it is today.

The charity provides a range of support to individuals and families affected by PCD, as well as information to medics and the clinical community.

Some of her tireless work includes providing telephone and in-person support to individuals and families affected by PCD.

As well as transforming the care of PCD patients across the UK Mrs Copeland has also assisted globally by advising international PCD charities.

Mrs Copeland said: “I am delighted to accept this award.

“I have really enjoyed volunteering for the PCD Family Support Group and being able to help improve the diagnosis and management of PCD patients in the UK.

“I am also very pleased that by receiving this award it can in some small way help raise even more awareness of this rare condition”.

Mrs Copelands determination has brought leading experts and practitioners from different medical fields together to discuss this rare genetic respiratory condition in a forming a common agenda as to how to help tackle and relieve the impacts of this condition.