A 94-year-old London woman has been awarded a CBE for her services to charity.

Sue Hammerson was originally created an OBE in 1981 for her charitable work. She is the founder of the old-age home, Hammerson House, in Bishop’s Avenue, Hampstead, which opened in July 1962. It was named in memory of her late husband, Lewis. Mr Hammerson died in 1958 aged 42.

Mrs Hammerson, a member of the West London Synagogue in Upper Berkeley Street, never remarried but concentrated on her charitable projects, principally Hammerson House. She said this week that she was “thrilled, honoured and very humbled” at the new award.

Hammerson House, which receives no government funding, is currently home to just over 90 people.

From 1960 onwards Mrs Hammerson was actively involved with the late Queen Mary’s Clothing Guild, as president from 1965 until she resigned in 2002 and as treasurer from 1974 until 1989. She served on the board of English National Opera from 1980 until 1993 and was a major benefactor of it.