Mrs Watson was recognised in the New Year’s Honours list this January for "services to Student Volunteering and to Education in Swansea.”

Mrs Watson was particularly honoured for her work with the Siavonga-Swansea partnership, a not for profit charity organisation established in 2008 which aims to build relationships across different cultures and maximise income generation through sharing experiences and learning, supporting children through education and making the best use of the environment to improve health through nutrition.

In a letter of recommendation, the former High Commissioner of Zambia, Ambassador Professor Royson M Mukwena said: “In view of the impact the Siavonga-Swansea Partnership is having with regard to changing the lives of the women of Siavonga and Swansea students and improving Zambia-UK relations, Mrs Christine Watson's work deserves to be recognised by the UK government by giving Mrs Watson an appropriate award.”

On receiving her award this month, Mrs Watson said: “I am delighted and privileged to receive this award from the Queen herself - It is a great honour.

“I am fortunate to have had so many unique opportunities to develop my work and myself during my time as Manager for Discovery. Discovery is an inspiring organisation that seems to motivate all those who invest in it.

“I have especially enjoyed working with students from Swansea University over the past 20 years, building on their ideas and enthusiasm as they donate their free time to benefit disadvantaged people here in Swansea and over the past four years, village women and children living in poverty in Siavonga, Zambia.

“I am truly grateful to my late father Maurice Knight; Discovery's former Chair, Dr Martin Lewis of Swansea University, and Discovery's Patron, Baroness Margaret Jay for nominating me."