THE chair of the League of Friends of Stratton Hospital received her MBE at an award party at the hospital on Monday, writes Amy Dennis.

The Post reported last year that Candy Baker had been included in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the community.

It recognises Mrs Baker's work with the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group and Peninsula Community Health as well as spearheading an appeal to raise £1-million towards improvements at Stratton Hospital.

The figure raised to date is around £759,000 and Mrs Baker added the money was still coming in.

She was unable to attend Buckingham Palace to receive the MBE and was given a choice of where it was presented.

She said: "They asked me where I would like it presented. They offered me all these grand houses but that's not me.

"I have been to Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace — at my age we have done these things and I'm not one of these grandiose people.

"I just wanted something with the people I know so well and work with, and who have just become friends.

"Without these people I couldn't have done this. I have been trying to get this area recognised for health care since 1991. I just wanted them to be part of it."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.