A MORFA Nefyn woman has received a British Empire Medal in the New Year honours list.

Joan Scott BEM, who is also known as Jo, receives the honour for services to the community in Pwllheli.

The 55-year-old, works as a community champion for Asda, said she was “gobsmacked” when she received the news.

“I haven’t told anyone, and I’m dying to tell everyone,” said Jo.

I haven’t even told work. I’m there on Sunday so it will be a nice surprise. I’m gobsmacked and absolutely over the moon.

“It’s such an honour to know that the local community appreciate what I do.”

Throughout the pandemic Jo was a Covid safety marshal, greeting customers at the supermarket door, handing out PPE and ensuring customer safety.

She faced challenging customers but took everything in her stride, even entertaining customers queuing to get inside the store by dancing and singing.

Over the past 17 months she has awarded over £8,610 in foundation grants to local groups in need and donated over £4,500 in donations of essential products to over 145 groups.

She supported the green token scheme at Asda which raised a total of £3,600, and regularly supports schools, the NHS, care homes, food banks and children’s support groups. These groups have been able to support vulnerable people in Jo’s community that otherwise may not have been supported throughout the pandemic.

In 2019, Jo raised money for Asda national charity campaign Tickled Pink, partnered with Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel, as well as for Children in Need, charities that are particularly close to her heart.

In her local community, a lot of Asda’s customers speak Welsh, however, the materials sent to the store from head office for Jo to use during her outreach activities were always sent in English. She decided that, in order to connect to her local community better and provide an exceptional level of support, she would learn Welsh. Jo also used her own time to translate community materials into Welsh. This greatly improved engagement and the relationship she has with her local community.

Jo is keen to acknowledge is colleagues.

Speaking to the Cambrian News she said: “This award is not just for me. I would like my colleagues to have some recognition too. The last two years have been very difficult for all of us. We are a team and we have all done our bit.”

Jo is so surprised to have been singled out for the honour, that when an envelope arrived informing her of the nomination, she feared the worst.

Recalling the moment, she said: “I’ve got three dogs and one of them, the Cocker Spaniel, is the boss.

“She had the envelope in her mouth and I saw the words ‘On her Majesty’s service’ on it and I thought, ‘Oh no, a speeding ticket, or jury service’. When I read what it actually was I burst into tears!

“I was also a bit cross afterwards because the letter has got the dog’s teeth marks in it and I ripped open the envelope. I’m a bit of an historian and I like to keep things, but I wasn’t expecting to receive a letter like this!

“BEM sounds so strange. I can’t believe this is happening!”