A long serving member of the Friends of the Royal Cornwall Hospital has been recognised for her years of voluntary service at a ceremony in London.

Maureen Hammond was awarded the Order of Mercy, a prestigious medal which rewards voluntary work in hospitals and the community, for her voluntary service over many years to charities and non profit organisations in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Mrs Hammond was given the medal at an awards ceremony at the Mansion House, in the City of London, in the presence of Princess Katerina of Yugoslavia, the Lord Mayor of London and many other distinguished guests.

The Right Honourable the Lord Lingfield, president of the League of Mercy, said: “Mrs Hammond has done extraordinary work for the welfare of others and those most in need.

“She is a marvellous example of someone whose longstanding and voluntary dedication to the service and welfare of others is noteworthy and remarkable and we were delighted to be able to make this well deserved award to her.”

The League of Mercy was created in 1899, refounded as a nationwide registered charity in 1999, and now continues the work of the original founder, the then Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VII.