A READING woman is “really honoured” to be named in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Jaime Terese Eastham Thurston BEM was one of the many talented people announced in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Jaime, the founder and chief executive of Reading-based charity, 52 Lives, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to charity.

Speaking about the award, Jaime said she is most honoured that “someone, I don’t know who, went out their way to nominate me”.

“It’s a really lovely feeling to be recognised for work that isn’t always easy”.

Jaime’s charity, 52 Lives, began when she met a woman in need of a new rug as her current floor was so damaged that it was hurting her child’s feet.

She reached out to her local community and received an outpouring of support.

Realising that there were people everywhere willing to help but there needed to be a network for this to happen, 52 Lives was born.

Jaime’s hard work has now helped thousands of people in need, with more than 100,000 followers all over the world.

52 Lives runs a School of Kindness outreach programme and workshops that Jaime runs every week.

Aimed at primary school pupils, the workshops help children understand that their choices and actions can help change the world.

She recently published ‘Kindness - the little thing that matters most’ and ‘The Kindness Journal’, to spread her message further.

BEM honours are typically awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community.