A WOMAN who has been helping Bolton mums-to-be for many years has fulfiled a lifetime’s ambition by meeting the Queen.

Samatiben “Sue” Desai has worked in Royal Bolton Hospital’s Princess Anne Maternity Unit for 23 years and was awarded an MBE for services to social care in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June.

The link worker, who lives in The Haulgh, Bolton, travelled to London to receive her award from the Queen.

Mrs Desai, who is originally from Nairobi in Kenya, said: “I saw her coronation when I was only a child back in Kenya and when I saw her I thought I’d like to meet her one day.

“I’ve wanted to meet her for a long time so it was good to finally do it.

“She was asking about my work and said she liked my sari. Buckingham Palace was beautiful.

“It was a wonderful experience.”

The mother-of-three works in antenatal, neonatal and postnatal, on the wards and runs parent craft classes.

Her job as a link worker also entails working closely with the community midwifery team and Sure Start midwives.

She also helps Pikes Lane Parent Craft Group, based at Pikes Lane Medical Centre, Bolton, which provides women with information on pregnancy and birth, socialising opportunities and develops support networks in the community.

Mrs Desai said: “It was a big surprise to get an MBE and it means a lot to have this kind of award, but without my colleagues I would never have got it.

“I think they nominated me and they support me in all my work.

“I am so happy in my work, all the staff are friendly as well as the women I work with.

“It’s very rewarding to think how much I help people.”

The MBE is one of several awards Mrs Desai has received, including a NHS award and a diversity award.