Prince William presents MBE to Hospital Radio Medway volunteer Eunice Norman
12:40, 04 February 2022
updated: 12:41, 04 February 2022
It was certainly music to her ears when she was told she was being made an MBE.
Now more than a year later, a long-serving volunteer at Hospital Radio Medway (HRM) has received the honour from Prince William.
Eunice Norman's "services to the community" were recognised in the 2021 New Year Honours list.
But due to Covid restrictions, the ceremony was delayed.
The Wigmore resident is the chairman of HRM and has been with the station since 1973.
It is a voluntary organisation, part of the Medway League of Friends which runs shops – proceeds from which are used to fund bids for vital equipment from various departments and wards at Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham.
Speaking of meeting the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle, Eunice said: "The day was fantastically well-organised, everybody was so friendly and I really enjoyed my trip.
"It was lovely to have a brief conversation with him and receive my award – he knew about my background as a radio DJ and host and asked if I did a lot of mixing of records!
"He was very lovely and genuinely interested in my volunteering work in support of the Medway community and the hospital.
"When I first found out about the award I was incredibly chuffed – it’s not something that somebody ordinary like me would expect to receive.
"It’s certainly one for my family but I’ve also received this MBE on behalf of the entire HRM team.
"They do a magnificent job and we all enjoy supporting the patients, who are lovely, as well as the visitors and hard-working staff at Medway Hospital.’’
Medway NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Dr George Findlay said: "Eunice has been a stalwart for our hospital over the years, alongside the Medway League of Friends, and deserves this accolade which is fantastic recognition of her efforts."