A COUPLE who fostered more than 100 children and a town’s eco-campaigner were among those receiving awards at a ceremony in Oxford.

Wheatley-based Molly and Bill Morris were awarded the MBE and Faringdon resident Sjoerd Vogt received the British Empire Medal at the event at Pembroke College.

The medals were presented on Thursday by Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Tim Stevenson, the Queen’s official representative in the county.

Most of the people named in the New Year’s honours list received their medals from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in May.

But Mrs Morris, 77, said she and her husband, 82, had good reasons to choose to receive the honours in Oxfordshire.

She said: “It would have been in May at the palace, but we would only have been able to take three of our children.

“We don’t feel we missed out at all, this was much more appropriate and we had 12 guests with us.

“It was important to us to have our family there. The award was given to us for our years of fostering.”

Mr and Mrs Morris have four children of their own and adopted or provided guardianship for at least three others.

They have also fostered more than 100 children for Oxfordshire County Council over the past 43 years, but Mrs Morris admitted she has lost count.

She said: “I don’t like to think of the number. I remember them all as faces.

“It’s a tremendous thing to do, and we still do relief work to give parents and carers respite.”

The event also saw Faringdon community stalwart Sjoerd Vogt pick up the BEM for his environmental campaign work, which has included setting up eco-awareness events at local schools and the wider community.

Mr Stevenson said: “It’s a huge privilege to be able to present these medals on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

“The recipients have all given great service to their communities.

“There are many people very grateful for what they have done and the help they’ve given to people completely selflessly.”

At the event, Lord Lieutenant Certificates were presented to seven cadets and army reservists: Senior Aircraftsmen Antony Deakin and Charles Kingham, Warrant Officer Malcolm Shapcott, Captain Richard Paul Allington, Lieutenant Naomi Ruth Hood, Corporal Terence McCann and Flight Lieutenant Stuart David.

Mr Stevenson also appointed new cadets, who will carry out official duties on behalf of his office.

They are Army cadet Sergeant Lewis Norwood from Donnington Bridge, Air Cadet Warrant Officer Samuel Jones from Bicester Squadron and Combined Cadet Force Cadet Lance Corporal Henry Hart from Abingdon School.