A charity boss has praised the efforts of her staff, volunteers and partners during the pandemic as she was awarded the British Empire Medal.

Voluntary Action Swindon chief executive Pam Webb, 59, said she was humbled and surprised to feature on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The list, which had been due to be published in June, was delayed by the government in order to mark people’s contribution during the coronavirus pandemic.

Three people from Swindon have been given honours: Pam Webb of Voluntary Action Swindon; Mandy Wood, domestic abuse campaigner and mum of X-Factor star Jahmene; and Brimble Hill special school headteacher Alison Paul.

Ms Webb, the former head of Zurich Community Trust, told the Adver: “I was incredibly humbled and surprised to receive the recognition and to be honest a bit embarrassed.

“Like many people we were in unprecedented times. My hat goes off to the doctors and nurses, care workers and teachers who have all risked their own health to help others. They’re the real heroes of the pandemic.”

She said her BEM was a recognition for her team at Voluntary Action Swindon, including the charity’s trustees and volunteers.

Since the coronavirus pandemic struck, VAS has been busy supporting other voluntary organisations – or helping people directly.

Even before the lockdown began, the charity announced a buddy scheme with Swindon Borough Council to pair would-be volunteers with those who needed help.

A couple of months later, the organisation was given a £5,000 grant from the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s coronavirus response fund to buy more than 40 pre-paid store cards for those unable to get to the shops.

At the time, Ms Webb said: “Volunteers will be given prepaid store card and they will swap the shopping list with the customer and then deliver the shopping outside the door with a receipt. Then, if they can afford it, the customer will pay us back and we will top up the store cards.”

With the lockdown set to continue into next year, there are growing concerns about the impact on the charitable sector of continued difficulties in fundraising and increased costs from ensuring facilities are “covid-secure”.

Ms Webb said the third sector faced a “perfect storm” of reduced income and higher demand.