Tributes have been paid to a West Cumbrian volunteer who was among several people in the county recognised in the New Year Honours.
Christine Pattinson, of Distington, was given a British Empire Medal for her efforts to improve her community.
She volunteers with Distington Big Local, a resident-led partnership in Cumbria funded by Local Trust.
The award acknowledges people who have made a significant, sustained, and real impact through their community service.
Since the age of 19, when she set up discos for local people to have something to do, she has dedicated nearly five decades to improving Distington, through both volunteer and professional roles.
For the last 12 years, Christine has brought the community together through her role as a volunteer partnership member with Distington Big Local.
Established by the National Lottery Community Fund, the Big Local programme provided just over £1m to 150 areas across England, to create lasting change in their neighbourhood.
As part of this work, Christine led a group of residents to turn a playground into a modern play park with up-to-date equipment.
Now, the play park is bringing young people and families together from across the community including those from the poorest estates in Distington.
Christine has also been instrumental in distributing Big Local community and transport grants totalling £14,710.
Since 2022, these have paid for everything from the publication of a book of childhood memories for the over-50s group to trips for young people.
Christine is also involved in plans for local land, bought with Big Local funding, to be turned into 18 new allotments.
Rachel Rowney, CEO of Local Trust, said: “She thoroughly deserves this award and should be rightly proud of the difference she has made to the community in Distington.
“Christine is a is leader and has been instrumental in creating spaces where the whole community but especially young people, can come together meet and mix weather that be allotments, a playground and a play park.
“She has helped local people to build new relationships and develop a sense of belonging to their area.”
Christine added: “I am very honoured to receive this award for my work with the Distington Big Local.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been able to work with everyone at the Big Local and would like to thank them for believing in me and all the help and support from everyone.”
