Medals of honour for caring duo

DELIGHTED . . . Margaret Hardy (left) and Richelle Walsh with their medals

A HELPFUL grandma and a hardworking rail worker from Oldham have received the British Empire Medal in recognition of their community service.

The awards, which recognise their efforts, were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith at Chadderton Town Hall.

Diggle grandmother Margaret Hardy (75) is a member of Saddleworth Mother’s Club and an active member of St Chad’s Church.

This year, helped by her daughters Karen Schofield and Paula Payne, she raised £1,760 by holding a Macmillan coffee morning - the most the trio have ever raised.

She said: “I was absolutely shocked to get a letter with On Her Majesty’s Service written on it, I really hadn’t expected it at all. I told my daughter I thought it was some kind of hoax.”

Margaret, who was a Sunday School teacher for 50 years, is active with Amongst Friends, a group for elderly people in the area, regularly helping to pick them up and take them to church.

Richelle Walsh, a mum-of-two from Royton, was awarded her medal having made it her mission to keep Greenfield train station clean and friendly since it opened in 2009.

A previous Pride in Oldham nominee, Richelle is known for her warm greetings on the platform and the daily help she gives travellers.

She said: “I work there on my own and I just try to make sure people know what platform to get on and they know where they are going. I just try to be as helpful as I can.

“To be honest the people of Greenfield are a pleasure to serve. I never have a day where I don’t want to go into work.”