An Oldham couple are being honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year with MBEs.

Janet Heap and husband Bill Heap, both aged 72 from Oldham, are being recognised after more than 50 years of voluntary service to help improve the lives of disadvantaged people, from as far away as India and Romania – as well as those in the borough.

Hands-on volunteers, Janet, a former secretary, and husband Bill, a retired firefighter, raised funds and collected clothing for children on the streets of India – where they set up a school and funded an ambulance for the local community.

Married in 1970, the couple, who have two children and eight grandchildren, are celebrating their 52nd year of marriage.

Both have been awarded the prestigious honour.

To ensure they did not end up on the black market, Janet and Bill used to take donations directly to countries such as Romania and Moldova in the 90s.

Speaking to The Oldham Times, Janet said the experience was ‘humbling’, and added: “My husband used to drive the lorry three times a year.”

On the MBE, Janet said: “We got a letter from the cabinet office about a month ago.

“The office in London said our names and addresses have been sent to the Palace, so it is their office that will arrange for the presentation of the award, probably in the autumn.

“We were quite shocked. We don’t know who nominated us!

“It’s a great honour.”

Now, the couple still volunteers locally – setting up the 60s Club at Dovetails on Beal Lane, Shaw.

The club, which celebrates its eighth birthday on Thursday, June 2, offers opportunities for older people and helps tackle isolation and loneliness.

Janet said: “We’re still working, we’ve set up a parent, grandparents, and child group – we’ve had pop-in cafés, we were on all day Wednesday at a craft and art group, and then on a Thursday we run an over-60s group.”