HER Majesty the Queen today honoured a Portsmouth churchwarden for her Christian service to the nation.

Sue Ward, 77, who is a churchwarden at Portsmouth Cathedral, is one of 190 people receiving Maundy money today, as part of the Maundy Thursday tradition dating back to the 17th century.

Sue Ward has been churchwarden at the cathedral for 10 of the past 13 years, in two separate stints. She trained as a teacher, and has worked in the UK and as a Voluntary Service Overseas volunteer in Pakistan, as well as accompanying her husband Terry and continuing to contribute on further VSO tours.

She actively supports the Fairtrade Forum, the Roberts Centre, interfaith initiatives and Christian Aid through fundraising and awareness-raising events, as well as personal advocacy. She is also a member of a local choir.

Sue received two small leather purses, which are given to men and women because of their Christian service over many years. The red purse contains £5 and 50p coins, while the white one contains silver coins specially minted by the Royal Mint, amounting to the same number in pence as the Queen’s age.

HM the Queen would normally present the Maundy money to individuals at a service in a cathedral or high profile church, but this year that hasn’t been possible because of Covid restrictions.

Sue said: “I’m astonished and delighted to receive Maundy money from the Queen. I don’t really feel as though I deserve it, but it is an honour and I’m very grateful.

“I’ve found being a churchwarden a joy, and a wonderful introduction to the whole of diocesan life, not just the local community. In a cathedral, you are very much a logistics person, making sure that everyone is being looked after.

“It is a shame that I won’t be receiving the Maundy money alongside the other people who have been honoured in this way, as it would be good to meet others who are also Maundy recipients this year.”