FARNHAM Festival chair and DMWS charity chief executive Nicky Murdoch has been awarded an MBE for service to the armed forces community and their families in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Nicky who is chief executive of the St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) based in Andover, has lived in Farnham since 1985 when she returned from a posting in Germany. She served a 30-year career in the British Army where she specialised in personnel work.

After her own battle with breast cancer in 2007, Nicky’s career refocused to the voluntary sector to utilise her skills, knowledge and awareness of the issues facing our armed forces, and she became the CEO of the St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service DMWS in 2011.

Nicky said: “I feel truly elated and humbled to receive this recognition, among so many other tremendous individuals.”

In the Farnham community, Nicky has contributed a vast amount as a volunteer to the music arena. As a member of the Farnham Operatic Society, she held the position of chair for three years. Now at the helm of the Farnham Music Festival, the group works to encourage young talent.

Nicky said: “Farnham’s strong music culture sits at the heart of our well-being and quality of life. The festival gives young people a platform to enjoy the opportunity of performing and participating in a variety of musical experiences, and I am proud to be part of this.”

Under her stewardship, this is now an annual occasion at the Farnham Maltings. The next event will be held between March 19 and 22, 2018.

At DMWS, Nicky leads a team of 46 staff members, predominately based in UK hospitals. Since its inception in 1943, the national charity has supported more than 1,000,000 patients and their families, and served all over the world alongside military medical colleagues.

As defence and the NHS change and evolve; DMWS has responded by utilising their operational expertise to extend its service to include the police and is currently working in Hampshire, Avon and Somerset to establish this welfare service for police officers and their families in the same way it has supported the defence community.

Nicky said: “The last six years at DMWS have been incredibly rewarding, and together with a remarkable team and our valued partners, we have achieved the aim of providing a highly effective and professional welfare service.”

Most recently DMWS were asked to provide support in hospitals across Greater Manchester in response to the terrorist bombing incident.

She added: “It is vital that we look after those who put themselves in harm’s way for the nation and I am lucky that my team and I have the privilege of contributing to that commitment.”