A WOMAN has spoken of her "surreal" trip to Buckingham Palace to collect an award for her work during lockdown.

Cherry McKean, from Earls Colne, was made an MBE as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list last summer after supporting the elderly community during Covid-19.

During the pandemic, Cherry started the Earls Colne Community Action Group.

The Facebook group enabled villagers to communicate and volunteers to help vulnerable residents with daily tasks.

These varied from collecting shopping and medicines to phone calls to prevent loneliness.

The parish council also sent leaflets to residents' homes to help out.

Gazette: Cherry with her daughter Lily with one of the information leaflets passed round the village during lockdownCherry with her daughter Lily with one of the information leaflets passed round the village during lockdown (Image: N/A)

Mum-of-three Cherry travelled to Buckingham Palace yesterday, March 23, to collect her MBE in person.

Accompanied by husband Nick and children Lily, Cameron and Lucy, Cherry even got to meet William, Prince of Wales.

She said: “It was a very memorable and special day.

“We were able to drive up there and park in the main courtyard and walk through the main entrance and my daughters were elated.

“We were talked through how to greet the royals and then I was lucky enough to meet His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

“He was so lovely and very softly spoken, and we talked about what the award was for and the environmental work we do and refill store we own.

“My family were also allowed in the Throne Room, which was simply surreal.

“The people at the palace were so lovely to me and everyone else who was collecting their various awards on the day.

“The whole thing was just amazing and to experience that with my husband and three children was even more special.”

Gazette: Cherry's MBE award which she got from her recent trip to Buckingham PalaceCherry's MBE award which she got from her recent trip to Buckingham Palace (Image: N/A)

Cherry, who runs the Ecolnes Refillery in the village, along with friend Rachel Sprunt, said her MBE was for everyone in the village.

She said: “This is an award for everyone - not just for me.

“The whole community really pulled together to help each other out during that tough period.

“Now we have a great medal with a big red ribbon to show for it, and I can pass that down in my family for generations to come.”