CHARITY founder and former wedding planner Naomi Thomas, from Wellington, has been honoured in the Queen’s birthday honours list for services to terminally ill people.

Naomi, founder of the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, which helps people with terminal illness fulfil their dream of a wedding, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Naomi, 33, of Pyles Thorne Road, said: “I had no idea that anyone had put me forward, so the award was completely out of the blue and I was absolutely thrilled. I found out about it about the end of April and it has been really hard keeping it a secret.”

Naomi was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, when she had been with her fiancé, Graham, for three years. They had wanted to get married but because of the financial difficulties caused by cancer were unable to do so.

But a local wedding planner read about Naomi in a newspaper and offered to organise her wedding and find wedding suppliers who would work free of charge.

Naomi married Graham in June 2012 and her personal experience inspired her to set up the charity and help others in the same way.

She said: “Working as a wedding planner for many years before being diagnosed with breast cancer, setting up the organisation seemed like a natural progression for me. I thought it would be a great way to make sure others had the same opportunities as me and it is lovely to see people have the wedding of their dreams under such challenging circumstances.”

Many of the people Naomi has helped have since died but their families and friends have the memories of a happy family occasion.

Naomi is the driving force behind the charity and it is hard work. “I don’t do anything else – it take up every minute of every day and completely consumes my life,” she added. “I have a small team of people to help but it’s not unknown for me to put in an 80-hour week.”

The British Empire Medal is granted in recognition of meritorious civil or military service and recipients are entitled to use the letters BEM.