Newnham’s College nurse has been awarded a British Empire Medal on the New Year Honours list.
Patsy Glazebook is vice president of the Sick Children’s Trust, which opened Acorn House at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge in 2000 to provide accommodation for families whose children were receiving treatment at the Cambridge hospital.
Acorn House is funded completely by voluntary donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts, and costs £68,000 a year to run.
The house was extended in 2006 and now plays a vital role in the lives of 750 families every year, accommodating up to 15 families a night.
The rooms are offered free of charge, and there is also a sister facility, Chestnut House, for parents with children at the Rosie Maternity Hospital.
Patsy said: “I got a letter in the post about a month ago, and when I realised what it was, it was a total surprise. I’ve still got no idea who nominated me.
“It’s an honour for the whole team, not just for me – the people who go collecting, organise events and ticketing. Since Acorn House opened we’ve had about 300 events and raised more than £570,000.”
Patsy was awarded a British Empire Medal (BME) to recognise her ‘sustained, innovative, high impact work’.
The honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain – they have usually have made life better for other people or been outstanding in their field.
Whether someone gets an honour – and the honour they get – is decided by an honours committee. The committee’s decisions go to the Prime Minister and then to the Queen, who awards the honour.
Read more about Patsy’s work in the Cambridge News