MBE awarded to Bridgnorth hospital friend Margaret
A member of Bridgnorth's League of Friends group has been made an MBE.
Margaret Veal, 90, is the vice president of the group, which has saved countless lives through its fundraising efforts for Bridgnorth Community Hospital.
She was invited to Buckingham Palace to be awarded the honour by Prince William.
"It was absolutely fabulous," she said.
"Everyone there looked after me so well as I'm partly disabled now, but they provided everything I needed and treated me like royalty.
"The highlight of the day had to be when I was actually awarded the MBE by Prince William, it doesn't get much better than that."
It comes as the group celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and Margaret is one of the members who founded it in 1958.
"It's such a nice feeling to be awarded this. I never thought it would happen to someone like me," she said.
"I've lived in Bridgnorth all my life and to be awarded this was just incredible for myself and League of Friends.
"I'll remember the day for the rest of my life.
"I had my own escort and Prince William was very interested in all the work we do in Bridgnorth."
Focus
The support group was initially started to help patients at the hospital, but due to the lack of NHS funding, the hospital has been threatened with closures and their aims shifted.
They now focus on raising money for new equipment and services at the hospital, such as a new day theatre, and most recently, an X-ray department.
"People can go for blood tests and everything they need there, instead of having to travel to either Telford or Shrewsbury," Margaret added.
"The support off the Bridgnorth people has always been outstanding, as they want to keep their local hospital up and running more than anyone.
"I first found out in January when a letter marked 'Cabinet Office' was dropped through my post and I thought 'Oh no, what have I done this time?'!
"But it said I was to attend Buckingham Palace to meet Prince William on June 14. It seemed like a long way away but the time has just flown by.
"I'll be 91 next month so I can't do as much as I used to but I still attend all the committee meetings and work in the hospital coffee shop.
"I've been there for 60 years and it has been an absolute pleasure."
