A PONTLLANFRAITH woman has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to St John Ambulance.

Marion Hook, has volunteered for St John for more than 50 years, since joining as a cadet in the Risca division in 1963, followed by a divisional officer and latterly a treasurer and assistant regional treasurer.

Together with her husband of 44 years David, Mrs Hook has one daughter and three grandchildren, and has managed to balance her volunteer work alongside family and work life.

Formal proceedings saw the Queen’s representative for the county of Gwent, Lord-Lieutenant Simon Boyle, present the medal in Caerphilly council’s Penallta House headquarters, in the presence of the council’s mayor, Cllr David Carter.

Mrs Hook, 64, said: “I was totally gobsmacked when the letter came and said what was planned.

“It’s something that you see other people receiving – but I never thought it would happen to me in a month of Sundays.

“My work with St John is something that I do naturally, I do not do it for awards, but I’m very happy and very pleased nonetheless.”

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “I am delighted to have been able to present this honour to Marion on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. I would like to extend my congratulations to Marion on the work she has accomplished with St John over the past 50 years.”

Cllr Carter said: “It is an honour to recognise a local resident for her dedication and commitment to such a worthwhile organisation. I would like to extend my congratulations to Marion in receiving this great honour, it is an incredible achievement and well deserved.”