New Year Honours 2024: Singer Sandra Godley appointed OBE

Sandra Godley has been awarded an OBE for her charitable work in Coventry

Singer and BBC presenter Sandra Godley has been appointed OBE for her charitable work in Coventry.

Godley is one of a range of people in the West Midlands to be recognised in the King's New Year Honours.

She has written and released songs to raise money for charities including Molly Olly's Wishes and MIND and has travelled to Kenya to speak to orphans.

Discovering the news was a "surreal, crazy and wild" experience, she said.

"I just cried for about 10 minutes, non-stop crying, I couldn't believe it."

Godley is an ambassador and advocate for the charity AtaLoss, which helps bereaved people find support and wellbeing.

She also helped to form the Gosp-Ability Choir, which aims to give people who face mental and physical challenges a chance to perform.

The BBC CWR presenter encouraged people to get involved with their community and help others.

"I hope I can be an example to a lot of young girls who feel they can't succeed in life," she said.