A COMMUNITY hero who launched a social group for widows and widowers after the tragic death of her husband says she is “humbled” after being named in the King’s New Year’s honours.

Mandy Whiting, 60, from Little Wakering, has been appointed an MBE for her work as founder of Two2One.

Her husband Dave was tragically killed in January 2007 while on his way to work. He was only 49. This left Mandy as a single mum raising her daughter Amber who was seven when Dave was killed.

In 2011, Many formed Two2One, a group for bereaved widows and widowers in the Southend area.

On receiving the news of her honour, Mandy said: “It was shocking, I wasn’t sure whether to accept it or not as I feel it is such an honour. But there are so many other people who have helped in making Two2One so successful and I couldn’t have done any of this without them. I feel quite humbled because the group members help run it in terms of organising events and activities, in a way it’s accepting the award on their behalf to recognise their work too.”

Mandy described the initial grief she felt following Dave’s death , adding: “In the initial stage it was very traumatic and saddening. There was a lot of shock.

“Then over a period of time there was a light at the end of the tunnel and some healing where I was able to work through it and start to smile again. I think that was important, you notice the first time you begin smiling again. Counselling is also good and my daughter is OK as well.”

Two2One meets at Chalkwell Park Rooms, Westcliff on the last Sunday of every month.