THE founder of Ty Hafan Children's Hospice has been made an MBE.

Suzanne Goodall was a key campaigner in the fight to establish such a site in Wales, and was finally rewarded for her work when the hospice opened it's doors in the late nineties.

Ms Goodall, who decided in 1988 to start the campaign, told the News: "I am a bit embarrassed by the award and took four days to accept the MBE because I don't like the limelight.

"But I realised that it was not just my work which was being recognised, it was Ty Hafan and all the other people who work there as well.

"They have said to me that it would not be there without my input, but I think it was a team effort."

The hospice was built in Sully on the old hospital grounds.

Suzanne said: "We were offered land on the five mile lane in Barry but were not granted planning permission and it seemed too far away from everything.

"Some land was offered to us at Sully Hospital but I thought that parents would have seen enough hospitals.

"I noticed there was a beautiful field next to the hospital which would be perfect. Thankfully, it was owned by the same people, so we built the hospice on there."

At 82, Suzanne is still very involved with the hospice, but has handed the reins over to "the people of South Wales".

Dominic Jenkins is the chief executive and was an integral part of the charity from the beginning.

She said: "The people of South Wales are very generous and work very hard."

Suzanne lives in Beddau near Pontypridd on a mountain called Coedcae.

A bereavement in the family was the impetus which drove her on to start the charity which she has been involved with for 14 years.

She added: "I have had little time over the past 10 years, so I need to refurbish my house which I have been doing with friends."