A SULLY woman who has spent her life caring for others has chosen to celebrate being awarded an MBE with her close family.

Mair Parker, who was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list, was presented with her prestigious accolade at Windsor Castle earlier this month.

She was accompanied on her royal visit by her sons David and Matthew and her grandson Andrew, before returning home and holding a party with her son Jonathan at the Castle Avenue Day Centre in Penarth.

She was presented with the prestigious honour at Windsor Castle in recognition of her work helping children and young people cope with grief and bereavement. Despite working full time managing and teaching in the social services sector she still found time to support people suffering from grief and serious loss through voluntary work and counselling.

Before she was presented with her honour Mair began talking to Welsh rugby coach Warren Gatland, who was presented with an OBE for his services to rugby, when they were being told about the protocol of how to receive their honours.

“He said he was more nervous than he gets before rugby matches,” said Mair.

“I asked him if he would come to my party at the Castle Avenue Day Centre and he said he couldn’t come because of the matches coming up, but he said he would send one of the players or a couple of them in the autumn.”

Mair was full of praise for Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, after he presented her with the MBE.

“He was a quality listener and was very sincere,” she said.

“He was very pleased that I was Welsh and said he identified with it.

“He said he had a lovely time in Wales and was really happy there.

“He spent so much time talking with people it went way over the time specified.”

Mair chose to celebrate her honour with a party at Castle Avenue Day Centre as her son Jonathan was unable to make the trip to Windsor Castle.

“My other two sons and grandson came, as well as a girl I have cared for that is like a daughter to me, but I missed Jonathan,” she said.

“He’s a special child in a very special way. I’m having this party today so he can feel part of it.”

Penarth Town Mayor, Cllr Martin Turner, also attended the party and praised Mair for her “exceptional work” helping children and young people cope with grief and bereavement. He said it was a great pleasure meeting her and congratulated her on the award.

Christine James, the Day Services Manager at Castle Avenue, which is part of the Vale of Glamorgan Day Services, said: “It was a privilege to hold the party and that Mair wanted to share her success with the people that she’s worked so hard for all her life.

“It was fitting that she came to Castle Avenue as not only is her son here, but people she has worked with are here too. They were delighted to have an opportunity to hold an MBE, and she was happy to share it.”