Bianca Effemey, from Kingston, has been awarded OBE in recognition of her services to young people with life-challenging conditions after setting up a children's charity.  

Founder and CEO of Momentum Children's Charity, Ms Effemey, was presented with an OBE by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. 

Talking about receiving the OBE, Ms Effemey said: "Today has been one of the most special days of my life. Being presented with my OBE by the Princess Royal was a true honour, an experience that will be etched in both mine and my family's memories for years to come." 

She was awarded an OBE in the King's first Birthday Honours List earlier this year, acknowledging over 19 years' dedication to the charity. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children's Charity started when Ms Effemey was working as a Receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital.  

Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful and Ms Effemey quickly became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients.  

It became Ms Effemey's mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy.  

John Lewis agreed to donate the freezer if Ms Effemey set up a charity, so she did this, with the help of two Co-Founders, Alison Trigg and Jacqui Coppellotti. 

At no point did Ms Effemey envisage becoming a CEO, or Momentum developing into a well-established charity, in fact, she initially planned to close it once she had received the freezer donation!  

"It is difficult to put into words how I feel about Momentum's achievements over the years, proud doesn't come close," Ms Effemey said. 

"All I hope is that we can continue to strive to be there for more families who are going through incredibly challenging times." 

However, Ms Effemey soon realised that Momentum wasn't going to be a temporary charity. 

Momentum has grown from a relatively small charity to now supporting around 300 children undergoing treatment and 140 bereaved families every year.  

Ms Effemey said:"Momentum really is like being part of an extended family for so many amazing families, and it is down to many trusted, dedicated individuals, that the charity has grown to be what it is today. 

"As I say so often, it is the memories I have of the families we have supported that keep me going - nobody should face the challenges alone, we are a helping hand for as long as needed." 

The charity now raises more than £1m a year to deliver its services in London, Surrey and Sussex, partnering with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support through its family support workers, both in hospital and at home. 

Graham Smith is Chair of Trustees and Treasurer for Momentum. Recognising Bianca's achievements, he said:  "With her dogged determination to not take 'No' for an answer she has been able to take the charity to great heights, expanding its services into more hospitals, providing respite breaks at Momentum's holiday homes, and developing the support services available to families. 

"As a result of all that she has done, Momentum has helped thousands of families and children with life challenging illnesses. The love that is felt for Bianca personally from all of those families and children is, I believe, the real reason for this great honour and how richly deserved it is too."