FROME-based broadcast journalist, documentary maker and advocate Charlie Webster has been awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

The broadcast journalist has worked for major networks such as the BBC and Sky covering sporting events including the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

She went on to become a special ambassador for Malaria No More, leading campaigns with David Beckham and working with the UN to secure international funding in the fight against Malaria. She contracted the disease and was critically ill at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and given just 24 hours to live.

Charlie has been an ambassador of Women’s Aid since she was 24 working closely with the organisation to raise both awareness and funds, and is an advisor to the Ministry of Justice on domestic and sexual abuse.

She advocates for women’s rights and has been instrumental in changes to British laws to give more support to victims of abuse.

Invited to speak to a parliamentary committee alongside MP Jess Philips, she told of the abuse she and her friends suffered at the hands of a coach at her all-girls running club, and the deaths of two former running mates who took their lives after testifying against the coach in court.

Her persistence has helped close a legal loophole with sports coaches now considered ‘people in a position of trust’ with UK Athletics introducing new safeguarding policies.

Reacting to the news of her being recognised by the King she said: “I mean, to be honest, it's not really even sunk in.

“I think for me, it's such an incredible honour. Not to have letters after my name or to meet the King; I’ve met the Royal Family in some of my advocacy work that I've done.

“It represents the journey I've been on. It’s not validation and it's not recognition because that's not why I do what I do.

“For me, this is like a moment to take a breath, and be proud.”