MBE for Amy Dowden in King's Birthday Honours
Dancer Amy Dowden has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
The star of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to battling inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's.
An advocate and ambassador for the charity Crohn's & Colitis UK, the 33-year-old from Caerphilly was awarded the title for her work campaigning and fundraising for the cause.
Others also receiving MBEs include a doctor who helped Ukrainian refugees in Wales and a woman who set up a suicide prevention charity, while Llandudno postmaster Alan Bates receives a knighthood for his fight for justice following the Horizon scandal.
A knighthood goes to Wayne David, who has just stood down as Labour Caerphilly MP after 23 years, for parliamentary and political service.
Ffion Hague, the Cardiff-born author, broadcaster and former civil servant, who lives in Welshpool, Powys, becomes a dame for public service and to business. She was already known as Lady Hague of Richmond due to her marriage to the former Conservative leader Lord Hague.
"I am still in shock, but so thrilled - it is beyond my wildest dreams," said Amy, who accepted the honour "on behalf" of all those who live with the condition.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful NHS staff who have helped me over the years and Crohn's & Colitis UK who do so much to support fellow sufferers."
The dancer has also had a recent high-profile battle with breast cancer and undergone a mastectomy and chemotherapy.
She first found a lump in her breast the day before going to the Maldives on her honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones and was subsequently diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.
She recently finished chemotherapy and tests show she has "no evidence of disease".
Earlier this week it was announced that Amy will rejoin the cast of professional dancers on Strictly for the 2024 series after missing out last year while she underwent treatment and recuperated from breaking her foot.
Also honoured is Nicola Abraham, who set up the Jacob Abraham Foundation after her 24-year-old son took his own life in 2015.
From Splott in Cardiff, she did so upon discovering there was no support for grieving families like hers.
Nicola said the work the foundation does has saved hundreds of lives so far.
"I think to date we've had about 300 people come through that door who were thinking of taking their lives, and we've had 100% success rate," she added.
"It's just great to know you've saved a life."
In addition, Dr Nistor Becia is recognised for his work supporting Ukrainian refugees arriving in Swansea, helping with the trauma many had suffered.
The 42-year-old senior psychologist with Swansea Bay University Health Board used his expertise to help treat and set up a support network for them.
Originally from Romania, Dr Becia said he had an innate understanding of their situation.
"For me to come to this country, it wasn't easy - not even knowing on a map where Wales is," he added.
"So this is to make them feel stable, grounded and safe."
He called his newfound title "the biggest achievement" of his career.
The King's Birthday Honours awards celebrate the contribution of well-known personalities, government employees and ordinary people who have served their community.
Honours are typically awarded by the King, Prince of Wales or Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Recipients can select their investiture's date and location but not which member of the Royal Family presides over the ceremony.
Others on the list from Wales are Aberdare presenter Roy Noble who becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to Welsh culture, language and community.
Peter Mizen from Swansea also receives an MBE for services to HM Coastguard, while Newport's Roger Morgan gets a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to heritage education and interpretation in Wales and Shirley Snowden, from Deeside, Flintshire, receives a BEM for her work in dance and the arts.
