CHAMPION fund-raiser Dorothy Ludlow has been honoured for all her charity work by being made an MBE - and says it hasn't sunk in yet.

The 65-year-old has worked tirelessly for more than two decades, holding mega-sales to raise money for a unit treating cancer victims.

Her fund-raising total currently stands at an impressive £113,362 with at least another £10,000 expected to flow into the coffers in 2002.

All the cash goes to the Cobalt Cancer Unit at Cheltenham, which treats people from the three counties.

"My life revolves around fund-raising," said the grandmother-of-four, speaking from her home at Eckington, near Pershore.

"It's a lovely, lovely way to spend your time. At the end of the day, it's helping so many people. That's all that counts, to give them hope and comfort."

Mrs Ludlow said she was sent a letter in November telling her she had been nominated for a gong - then promptly "put it out of sight and tried to forget about it" in case she did not get the honour.

"I'm in touch with a lot of people and I was scared I might say the wrong thing and let something slip!" she said.

"For years and years, lots of supporters have said 'isn't it time you went to Buckingham Palace?' Now I am. But it's my fund-raising that matters to me."

Mrs Ludlow has been raising money since 1978, after losing two relations to cancer.

Work has already begun on her next sale, which is due to take place in Eckington on Saturday, April 20.

Her 50th sale will be held on Saturday, October 12 next year.