Bright Tights founder is given British Empire Medal

Mrs Child’s award was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2021 but two previous attempts to present it to her were cancelled due to Covid.

The award was given in recognition of her services to the health and voluntary sectors in Guernsey.

Her family were present at the ceremony, along with invited guests from the charities that she has worked with.

She said she had never operated on her own

‘None of these charities are just one person but a team of people who work together,’ she said.

‘It was nice to see a sea of smiling faces there that I know from the various charities.’

The Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell said that this award presentation had been particularly special to him.

‘Pat was supposed to be my first award ceremony on reaching the island,’ he said.

‘But after two postponements and seven months we are finally here to congratulate this remarkable woman on her many achievements which continue to benefit this island community.’

Mrs Child moved to Guernsey with her family in 1972 and taught at La Mare de Carteret Primary and Vale Infants before becoming head teacher of Hautes Capelles Infant School.

Following her retirement in 2008, she helped found Home-start Guernsey, which works to organise volunteers to help families who might need support.

The same year, Mrs Child was diagnosed with cancer of the womb, which spurred her on to set up Bright Tights – a local charity that supports sufferers of gynaecological cancers.

She said she had been fortunate to have friends and family who supported her, but met other women during her treatment who really needed support.

Mrs Child was also instrumental in the creation of Guernsey Cancer Support.

She is also a volunteer leader for Guernsey’s Walking for Health scheme, a founding member of the University of the Third Age locally, and an active member of the Inner Wheel Club of Guernsey.