Long serving Sheffield volunteer Phyllis is awarded the BEM

Phyllis Lambe 86, is celebrating after she was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Sheffield.

Mrs Lambe said: “It was quite a surprise. I have enjoyed what I have done over the years and it is nice to be rewarded in this way as a volunteer.”

Mrs Lambe started volunteering for Help the Aged in 1972 and then in 1976 she began volunteering for the WRVS, now the Royal Voluntary Service.

She has roles at the Royal Hallamshire and Weston Park Hospitals, assisting staff and patients and fundraising for useful equipment.

A former bowel cancer sufferer, she is the treasurer of the Sheffield Bowel Cancer Support Group. She organises outings and also holds regular meetings with relevant speakers.

This support group is a valued community asset for Bowel cancer sufferers in Sheffield, providing emotional and social support as well as practical advice.

From 1986 until 2016 she was treasurer of Sheffield Trades Historical Society (now called the South Yorkshire Industrial History Society), and still is membership decretary. This society is concerned with protecting and maintaining the industrial heritage of Sheffield.

She is also treasurer for Sheffield Environment Weeks Group which promotes environmentally oriented events held by local organisations.

The citation for her award describes her as “dedicated, hardworking, completely reliable and efficient,” adding: “She has provided a very high standard of organisations in themselves to make a difference to the residents of Sheffield.”