A DUDLEY woman who clocked up more than 10,000 hours of volunteering to help older people has won prestigious praise.

Christine Rich, who is secretary of the Friends of Priory Park, has scooped the Point of Light award for making an outstanding contribution to the community.

Her achievements include establishing a Wednesday Walkers Club for older people to share a stroll followed by a cup of tea in the park.

Since the walking club was founded it has grown to almost 60 walkers, the oldest aged 89, and aims to have reached 1,000 miles of walking by January 2015.

As he announced the award, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Christine’s Wednesday Walkers club is helping to combat loneliness and giving her 60 fellow walkers a great way to keep fit. I’m delighted to make Christine a Point of Light.”

Christine is the 126th winner of the new Points of Light award which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA.

She said: “I am overjoyed at receiving such a prestigious award for something that I have enjoyed doing and will continue to do. I could not have achieved this without a supportive husband and small group of friends and volunteers who are always behind me.”

Dudley North MP Ian Austin added: “This is brilliant news. I’m delighted to see Chris recognised for the fantastic work she and her colleagues have done to transform Priory Park.

“Imagine how much better things would be if every park had people like Chris working to improve things.”