Charity heroes who have together raised more than £200,000 for their causes have received royal recognition for their tireless work.

Joan Warwick, who has raised more than £100,000 for Darent Valley Hospital, and Lynn Savill, who has topped the same mark since founding the Gravesend Epilepsy Network, have both been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

The pair join Ronald John Bowers, of Havelock Road, Dartford, who is set to receive an OBE for his services in the Ministry of Defence. They will all receive their honours from the Queen at a ceremony later this year.

Mrs Warwick, 68, of South Downs Retirement Village, South Darenth, chairs the Stride 4 Life team, which has organised an annual day of sponsored walks at Darent Valley Hospital since 2004.

The event has so far generated £112,000 for the hospital’s Cancer Fighting Fund and helped purchase items from a pill-sized camera to detect bowel tumours to a luxury massage chair for chemotherapy patients.

The grandmother-of-two started her fundraising drive following the death of her husband, John, who lost his battle with bowel cancer in 2003.

Mrs Warwick, who will receive her MBE for charitable services to Darent Valley Hospital, said: “I’m so proud to get this, but nothing gives me as much pleasure as seeing that money ticking over and realising you’ve made a difference.”

Mrs Savill, who will receive her MBE for services to people with epilepsy in Gravesend, has also been inspired by a family member.

The 62-year-old, of St George’s Crescent, Gravesend, set up the Gravesend Epilepsy Network when her daughter, Susan, was diagnosed with the condition following a car crash 30 years ago.

The group, which has raised more than £100,000 for epilepsy research since it started in 1981, operates a help line, distributes information packs to schools, and holds regular support groups for families.

Mrs Savill, who won a Pride of Gravesham award for her efforts in 2007, said: “I’m shocked and honoured. It’s a wonderful recognition. I just hope this will help epilepsy become more recognised.”