Local fundraiser and breast cancer survivor, Jane Brooks, from Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire has been awarded a British Empire Medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

After spending over 15 years as a cytologist for the NHS, screening cervical smears for cancer cells, Jane, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011.

In 2014, following her diagnosis, she began fundraising in support of the charity Breast Cancer Now, initially aiming to reach a goal of £1,000.

By the end of 2020, she had raised approximately £23,000 and upped her goal to £50,000 with the latest update on amount raised at £33,000.

Jane said: "I am happy and honoured to be awarded this British Empire Medal from the Queen, especially during the year of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

“My passion for fundraising on behalf of Breast Cancer Now arose after my own diagnosis and the loss of a dear family member and many friends to breast cancer.

“I have been further motivated by the diagnoses of other friends in recent years.

“As a scientist I know how crucial fundraising is to research.

“I’m proud that though my fundraising I have raised awareness of Breast Cancer Now’s work and contributed vital funds that will help the charity continue its work for anyone affected by the disease.

“Being awarded the British Empire Medal for work I am so passionate about makes it even better!”

She has organised collections at supermarkets and placed collection pots in local businesses; organised ladies shopping evenings, afternoon teas and painting workshops at a local community centre.

Jane continued: “The support I get from local business and local people is amazing, my total now is about £33,000.

“The local business are especially amazing, I really couldn’t do it without their support.

“Friends and family have all been brilliant and I have made new friends as people have supported the fundraising I have done over the years which has been lovely.”

Described as her “biggest challenge, Jane took London MoonWalk 2019 which consists of walking a marathon around London overnight.

She also ran charity tea deliveries during pandemic, sold donated goods through her Facebook page and held raffles and online shopping events.

Claire Pulford, associate director at Breast Cancer Now, said: "We're so delighted to see Jane awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her incredible charity work over the years for Breast Cancer Now and other charities.

“Even through the covid-19 pandemic, Jane raised thousands of pounds, helping us to continue our world-class breast cancer research and support services for anyone affected by this devastating disease.

“With the number of people being diagnosed with breast cancer sadly on the rise, these vital funds are needed more than ever, and we’re so thankful to Jane for all her fundraising efforts and proud of her and all our volunteers who support us.”