CHARITY fundraiser Penelope Worsley is one of three people to be presented with an honorary degree by the University of York this year.

Penelope, who lives in Heslington, established the Karen Hilltribes Trust back in 2000 following the death of her son, Richard.

During his gap year, Richard spent six months volunteering with the Karen Thai people who live in remote, mountainous villages in north-west Thailand.

Since then Penelope has raised more than £3 million and is now working with more than 40,000 people in 100 square miles of northwest Thailand.

Penelope has been involved with voluntary work and charities in Yorkshire for the past 45 years.

She worked with St John Ambulance from 1967 to 1988, becoming County President for North Yorkshire. Originally from Wiltshire, she has been involved with communities, churches and organisations in the York area, including the Theatre Royal appeal and the York Arts Centre.

Penelope will be presented with her honorary degree by Professor Dianna Bowles, of the Department of Biology in Ceremony Four next Saturday at noon.

The university confers honorary degrees on individuals who have made a significant contribution to society. These degrees will be presented at graduation ceremonies taking place next Friday and Saturday at the university’s Central Hall.

The other two honorary degrees this year are to pioneering physicist Professor Archie Howie and soprano Dame Emma Kirkby.

Prof Howie is a pioneer in the field of electron microscopy. He has worked at the forefront of electron diffraction theory and novel imaging methods. He played a vital role in conceiving York JEOL Nanocentre whose electron microscopy capability makes it unique.

Dame Emma is one of the most highly respected performers in classical music and appears worldwide with orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Academy of Ancient Music and London Baroque.

She has made over a hundred recordings, from madrigals of the Italian and English Renaissance to works by Mozart and Haydn.