President of the Pembroke and District Committee of Macmillan Cancer Relief, Mrs. Dilys Hanmer, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List for charitable services. Described as a 'great ambassador' for the charity, 86-year-old Mrs. Hanmer, a trained nurse, first became involved with Macmillan Cancer Relief 37 years ago. She started the Carmarthen committee in 1970 when she ran the Beach Hotel in Pendine. She was later chairman of the charity's Narberth branch for 14 years when she lived in Cold Blow, prior to founding the Pembroke and District Committee in 1989. She has been its president for the last 12 years. "When we started we only had six members, but now we are up to 15, and have raised over £300,000," said Mrs. Hanmer, who was 'elated' at the award. "Dilys has worked tirelessly to promote Macmillan and along the way has gained the support and loyalty, not only of her colleagues on the committee, who hold her in very high esteem, but many friends, relatives and business people in Pembroke and further afield," said Pembroke and District Committee hon. secretary, Auriol Scourfield. "Dilys has a charisma and affinity with the people she meets that is a pleasure to see. When she walks down the street, she is constantly thinking about and working for Macmillan Cancer Support." Born in Pembroke Dock, Mrs. Hanmer was awarded the Macmillan Chairman's Medal in 1990 for service to the charity, and in 2000, was the only person in Wales to be awarded the Presidents Medal for over 25 years service. In 2001, she was given an award of merit by Pembroke Town Council to mark 31 years of fund- raising and outstanding contribution to the community, and in 2003, she received a Highly Commended certificate from the Beacon Fellowship for outstanding contribution to charitable causes. But being awarded an MBE is surely her crowning achievement. "By example and encouragement, Dilys is solely responsible for the popularity and respect with which Macmillan Cancer Support is known in this area," said Mrs. Joan Bell, the branch's press secretary. "I have never known anyone to refuse when she asks for their help - this applies to ordinary people and to many local businesses, shops and national firms in the area." Also celebrating an MBE is Eileen Bairstow from Fishguard, who receives her award for services to the Pembrokeshire Counselling Service.