Founder of women's centre thrilled to receive MBE

Lisa Hilder set up the Preston Road Women's Centre 25 years ago

The founder of a Hull women's charity has been named in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Lisa Hilder, 52, has been awarded an MBE after setting up the Preston Road Women's Centre 25 years ago.

She said she was "absolutely thrilled and delighted" and has dedicated the honour to "all of the women who have contributed" to the centre.

Others honoured include David Kennedy-Harding, from Bilton, who will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his decades of service to the emergency services and British Red Cross.

"It's absolutely wonderful to have the recognition of the hard work of the last 25 years," Ms Hilder said.

It would help to "shine a light" on the work of the centre and an affordable justice service, which is based there.

"Hopefully, it will raise the profile of the women's centre and enable more women to come forward to use our services," she added.

Setting up the centre had been "a very big joint effort and a shining example of how women can help other women improve their lives".

The centre's colour scheme reflects the colours of the suffragette movement

The exterior of the centre is painted in purple, green and white – the colours of the suffragette movement.

It was the "first of its kind in the UK" to offer a combination of training facilities, accommodation, legal services, an on-site nursery and domestic abuse support, alongside other services, Ms Hilder said.

David Kennedy-Harding has been awarded a British Empire Medal

Mr Kennedy-Harding, 77, has been awarded the BEM for 64 years' service as a volunteer for the emergency services and British Red Cross.

“It’s very nice, and I never expected it,” he said. “I’ve been out to all sorts of things, from incidents where unfortunately there have been fatalities, to smaller incidents like someone’s toaster catching fire."

He said the "best recognition" had been from the "countless people" he had helped.

“All you ever look for in this role is a thank you,” he said. “'Thank you' is the biggest reward you can get.”

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