Elizabeth's legacy lives on as charity given Queen's Award
It started as the vision of one woman who needed support and information about her recent cancer diagnosis.
She reached out for help and went on to help thousands of others who found themselves in the same frightening situation. Elizabeth Harris went on to found the White House Cancer Support Group, initially holding meetings in her own Dudley home.
Now that charity has been presented with the highest accolade in the charity world, the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.
Elizabeth Harris died in 2007, aged 79, two decades after her cancer diagnosis, and the staff who carry on her inspirational work today said she would have been thrilled by the national honour. Her two sons travelled, one from Plymouth, to be at the presentation.
White House Cancer Support manager Caroline Webb said: “Elizabeth would have been extremely proud and it was a special moment for her two sons. To have recognition by the highest office, the Queen herself, is fantastic.
"It was recognition of the value of the support that volunteers past and present have given to make the charity what it is today. Without their help, we wouldn't be where we are."
The White House Cancer Support Group has 80 volunteers which provides services predominantly to Dudley but also reaches pout to the wider Black Country area.
The charity works in the Wombourne, Coseley and Kinver areas and is hoping to do more in Sandwell through partnering up with other organisations.
The charity was presented with the award by Deputy Lieutenant Viv Astling, a former chief executive of both Walsall and Dudley Councils, on behalf of the Queen.
The award, created in 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee, is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary groups and recognises excellence in activities carried out by community groups.
The lounge at the White House in Ednam Road was renamed in honour of Elizabeth Harris, where a plaque is displayed bearing her motto 'Catch the joy as it flies.'
