Bristol Windrush families 'so proud' of MBEs

Ruth Pitter has worked on about 1,000 community projects in Bristol

Two women whose parents came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation say they are "proud" to be appointed as MBE's.

Ruth Pitter, who has worked on about 1,000 community projects in Bristol, said she was "shocked" by the honour.

"It's not something you think you're ever going to receive," she said.

Valda Jackson, who designed a Windrush-themed 50p coin, said she was "incredibly humbled" by the "inspiring" achievement.

The women's parents arrived in the UK after people were invited to leave their homes in the Caribbean to work in Britain.

• Who are the Windrush generation?

"It's a long way from where my parents were when they arrived in Bristol with just their suitcases and nothing else," Ms Pitter said of being awarded the MBE.

"We have had such interesting journeys I guess."

Ms Pitter said her family were "really proud" and see it as an award for them too.

Valda Jackson said it is a "tremendous" honour to have her mother see her appointed as an MBE

She said she felt "absolutely bowled over, humbled and privileged" at being appointed an MBE for her services to equality, to charity and to the community in Bristol.

Amongst her many achievements, Ms Pitter led on setting up the Commission on Race Equality in the city and provided victim support for many years at Crown Court.

"I've been really privileged to work in the mostly charitable sector in Bristol for nearly 40 years," she said.

Ms Pitter estimates she has worked on about 1,000 projects, including helping groups set up and with funding, governance, equality and diversity.

Ms Jackson said the coin she designed represented 'unity'

Last year, Ms Jackson designed a 50p coin to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush.

The sculptor was born in St Thomas, Jamaica and moved to England in 1964.

She said to have her work recognised by being made an MBE is "humbling" and "encouraging".

"I came to England as a small child in the 1960's," she said.

"For my mother, now in her 89th year, and many of her generation, to see their children over-stepping obstacles to prosper and to be honoured in this way is quite tremendous and for younger generations, it is an inspiration.

"I continue to make work that resonates; working with histories, subjects and themes that are difficult, at times painful, but I continue because exploration of our lived experiences, the historical and the present, help in the creation of new and better futures.

"To have this work recognised in such a way is humbling but I am also encouraged."