Debt adviser 'humbled and surprised' at OBE honour

Heather Keates was appointed OBE in the King's Birthday Honours

A debt adviser said she felt “humbled and surprised” after she was appointed OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Heather Keates, from Shropshire, has been honoured in recognition of her 25 years in the field of debt advice.

She set up the Community Money Advice charity in the 1990s not long after she and her family fell into “massive debt” themselves.

Ms Keates told BBC Radio Shropshire that she originally thought someone had posted a “nasty notice” to her when she received the letter informing her of the OBE.

“It’s an official-looking envelope with a crest on it so I thought ‘oh my goodness’,” she added.

Asked how she felt about receiving the award, she said: “Honoured, humbled and surprised.”

Ms Keates said her family went into debt after they lost a child and “weren’t able to function normally” as a result.

She said they wanted to do something positive following their experience and were aware that many people were struggling with finances at the time.

Community Money Advice held its first drop-in session at a local church and now has centres in about 160 locations across the UK.

The charity offers services including advice on budgeting, personal insolvency and working with creditors.

Ms Keates said: “So often, people feel guilty or ashamed or don’t want to talk about it and wait until late on before they put their hand up to say they need help.”

She said, given the choice, she would prefer to receive her medal at Windsor Castle rather than Buckingham Palace.

“They’ve got beautiful grounds and the town around Windsor is lovely too,” she added.