A FORMER seamstress has been honoured by the Queen for her voluntary work with Childline.

Betty Walker, who was born in Anderston, began volunteering with the children’s charity in 1997, when she retired.

To mark her commitment, Lord Provost Sadie Docherty presented her with the British Empire Medal at a ceremony in the City Chambers.

Mrs Walker spent years working as a seamstress for a number of city firms before running a newsagents shop in North Lanarkshire.

She joined Childline when she retired as she wanted to help children and young people and has been active with the charity ever since.

Mrs Docherty said Betty had staffed fundraising stalls and been involved in outreach and administration.

She added: “Betty is very successful at helping Childline to recruit and retain more volunteers.

“She can talk to anyone of any age and background, whether children and young people, other volunteers MSPs or chief executives.

“She often requests donations be made to Childline in lieu of gifts, including at her 50th wedding anniversary and she requested donations to Childline in lieu of flower at her husband Tommy’s funeral.

“It is a mark of her commitment that at the age of 82 she now takes two buses to get to Childline so she can continue to help children and young people.”

Betty, who lives in Chryston in North Lanarkshire, said she decided to volunteer for the charity after seeing Esther Rantzen on TV.

She said: “I decided I didn’t want to sit at home and look at four walls. I have always been a volunteer in some capacity so I phoned up Childline and they welcomed me.”

Betty, who still works one day a week for the organisation, said she could not believe it when she received a letter notifying her about the British Empire Medal.

She said: “I thought someone was winding me up. I thought I don’t deserve it because I enjoy the work I have done.

“Childline is a wonderful organisation because children who are stressed can pick up the phone and talk to someone who listens to them and understands.”

Betty was joined at the ceremony in the City Chambers by her daughter Barbara-Anne Walker, son-in-law Paul Devlin and friends from Anderston Kelvingrove Church in Argyle Street.