A DEDICATED Wee County woman has received an award at Buckingham Palace this month after being named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year.

Teresa McNally was in London to become a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to the community.

A voluntary committee member of Alloa-based Ochil View Housing Association, the 74-year-old has locally and nationally been a driving force in improving housing conditions over the years.

She has been involved with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and is a trustee on the Lintel Trust Charity, which awards small grants to enable housing associations kick-start local projects.

As the Advertiser previously reported, Teresa also slept rough last December to raise awareness of homelessness as she joined thousands of others on Edinburgh’s Princess Street Gardens.

A community activist, she was surprised and delighted to find her name on the list back in June.

The local woman received the award from Princess Anne, who flew into Alloa at the beginning of the month to mark the 50th anniversary of Clackmannanshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Teresa said: “The investiture at Buckingham Palace was a formal affair but the event went like clockwork and I was pleased that the work of community housing was acknowledged.

“My family, friends and colleagues are all proud of the MBE."

She has been a committee member at Ochil View since 2000 and has been on the board of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations for five years now.

Tom Brown, chairperson at Ochil View, added: “The staff and volunteers at Ochil View are thrilled that ‘our Teresa’ has been recognised for her work in the housing sector and all her other community interests.”

Teresa was also an elected councillor in the past and is passionate about helping the homeless.

When she decided to endure a cold Scottish winter night on the streets of Edinburgh last year, she said there needed to be more housing policy changes to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

And added: “It just doesn't seem right, in the 21st century. The United Kingdom is a very rich country compared to many places in the world.”