Gaynor Walton, a supporter of Hamelin, visited the Billericay centre to talk about the highs and challenges of the marathon.

She engaged in a Q&A session with people supported by the charity, sharing personal highlights and answering questions about the demanding 26.2-mile run.

Ms Walton said: “Their questions were brilliant.

“They asked how I felt at the start, what I ate the night before, and even whether I’d do it all again.

“It meant so much to share the experience with people who the charity supports.”

After a ten-year break from marathon running, Ms Walton took on the challenge, raising £3,371 for Hamelin.

She also revealed that her motivation came from people supported by Hamelin, stating: “When I hit mile 18 and started to struggle, I thought about why I was running – the people Hamelin helps, the challenges they face, and the difference even one donation can make.

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A SERIAL marathon runner and an eleven-year-old girl who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity are among the Dorset residents recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Heroes from across Dorset will be awarded with honours from the King for their meritorious service to the local community.

Holly Parkin, 46, from Broadmayne is to receive the British Empire Medal in recognition of raising roughly £65,000 for charity over 15 years, many of which are for causes extremely close to her heart.

She has run five London marathons in aid of Spinal Research UK while battling her own spinal issues, and British Heart Foundation, after losing her friend’s father and own cousin to cardiac problems.

She said: “I was extremely shocked, you do these charity events because you want to give back to the community, you don’t do it for recognition. It’s a huge honour and a very big shock.”

The self-employed podiatrist is passionate about educating children about water safety and has been appointed the fundraiser for Dorset Swimming Club.

She said: “Every penny to get local kids swimming counts. We live by the sea and it’s imperative that all kids be safe in the water.”

She has also raised money for a number of local charities including the Lexi May Trust, that terminally ill children and Mosaic, supporting bereaved children.

This year, the King will grant the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) to possibly its youngest recipient yet.

11-year-old Carmela Chillery-Watson is being commended for raising nearly half a million pounds for charity while battling a debilitating illness.

She suffers with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy that causes her muscles to waste away. She has raised £400,000 in 25 campaigns since being diagnosed at the age of three.

She said her favourite fundraiser was when she walked the Jurassic Coast in a 100-mile walking challenge.

She said: “I can’t believe the King has seen what I have done, but I’m hoping that if the King has seen it then kids around the world will have seen it too and that it will give them hope.”

Her mother, Lucy Chillery-Watson, said: “I’m bursting with pride. She has grown into a remarkable young girl. I’m sure she was born with a purpose.”(Image: Lucy Chillery-Watson)

Carmela will next be embarking on a ‘Poo Plod’ where she will be walking five miles with her mum dressed up as a toilet with her mother. They hope to raise enough money for specialist toilets for her school, Liveability Victoria Education Centre.

Deborah Haynes, Head of the Dorset Civil Contingencies Unit has also been awarded an MBE for her services to the resilience community. Deborah played a key role in the response to the recent storms, helping to resolve flooding. She was also instrumental in coordinating the local response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Deborah, said: “I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to receive this MBE. It means so much to have my work in resilience and keeping communities safe recognised – something that it has always been a privilege to do. This award reflects the efforts of so many wonderful colleagues, friends and particularly my family, who have supported and inspired me along the way.”

Another BEM recipient is Mike Grimshaw, On-Call Section Commander at Chippenham Fire Station, who joined Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2008.

He is recognised for his public service as an on-call firefighter, and his national role as a Civilian Services Contingent Drill Instructor.

Mike has played an essential role in organising the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.

He said: “It is a real honour to be recognised in this way, and I’m grateful to everyone who supports me in both my role as a firefighter and within the Civilian Services Contingent. This includes my family and my employer, who give me the flexibility to fulfil these additional commitments.

I’ve had the privilege to undertake a role in the biggest ceremonial events in decades, and I’ve been proud to represent DWFRS and the Fire Service as a whole on the national stage.”

David Richmond-Coggan, a dedicated volunteer with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), is being recognised for his contributions to maritime safety with a British Empire Medal.

David said: “I was absolutely blown away. It was unimaginable, not even in my wildest dreams. I had no idea that I had been put forward for this recognition and I am truly humbled.”

Other Dorset residents being recognised:

David Geoffrey Pike, from Swanage for services to the community in Swanage

James Randolf Gibson Fleming DL, from Blandford, for services to charitable causes and to the community in Dorset

Lady Kathryn Mary Cotton, from Swanage, for charitable service

Professor Gerard Thomas Stoker, from Wareham, chair of governance, University of Southampton, for services to local governance and to the study of democracy

Linda Patricia Magistris, from Poole, founder and chief executive officer of The Good Grief Trust for services to supporting bereaved people

Susan Linda Wilkinson, from Christchurch, trustee and chair of the finance and audit committee for Churches Conservation Trust, for services to heritage