A Lanarkshire gran has spoken of her surprise and delight at being recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list.
Jean Holloway has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her years of work fundraising and supporting Prostate Cancer UK.
The Rutherglen woman lost he beloved husband Walter to the disease in 2007, and since then has done everything possible to help the charity, from raising awareness of the condition to helping out in the charity's office.
She has earned over £34,000 for Prostate Cancer UK through a host of events, from bag packing at the Tesco in Burnside to organising golf days at Cathkin Braes Golf Club, where her husband was once Captain.
However despite her hard work, 85-year-old Jean told Lanarkshire Live it was a complete shock to be told she was being recognised for her hard work.
She said: "I was totally surprised, I was not expecting anything like this at all. I was very honoured.. I've been working with Prostate Cancer UK for 11 or 12 years now I think. A wee while after I lost my husband I started working as a volunteer with them, just doing anything that was needed.
"I'm not a saint but I needed a purpose after Walter died, so if they asked me if I could do something then I would go and do it. They're such an important charity, and with prostate cancer it's all about raising awareness and helping their research."
Jean has helped the charity in a number of ways since she started volunteering with the,. She's attended golf shows, being a keen golfer herself, and spoken in offices about the importance of men over 50 getting checked for the disease.
She's collected cheques, attended numerous events and organised herb own fundraisers too.
She explained: "I've done a great deal for Prostate Cancer UK but they have done a great deal for me too. They've supported me all the time, and I enjoy doing what I can to help out.
"Most things I've organised myself and then I've roped everyone into helping, like getting my daughters and grandsons down to Tesco in Burnside to help with the bag packing.
"Everyone at Cathkin Braes has been a great help too. I had to stop playing a couple of years ago, but the club has always been good for fundraising and events.
Jean hopes that by speaking about the disease so often she may have helped save lives in the process.
She added: "One in eight men will have it and onn will be diagnosed every 45 minutes. However there are thousands of men that are able to live with prostate cancer if diagnosed in time.
"I know one man who told me he had no symptoms for it, but I encouraged him to get it checked anyway. He did, and discovered he had it - that's why being checked is so important."
Jean's three daughters, Jacqueline, Janice and Gillian were delighted about their mum's achievement, with Janice telling her mother words she'll remember forever.
Jean added: "Janice just said to me that dad would be proud, and your dad would be proud of you as well. That was a lovely thing to hear."
For information on the work of Prostate Cancer UK, visit here.
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