Local heroes: Queen honours the great and good in New Year Honour's List
They come from all walks of life - but they all share the same sense of pride after being named in the New Year's Honours List.
From foster carers, councillors to civil service workers, the community champions have all dedicated years of their lives to helping others.
But this morning it is their turn to take the spotlight after being named on the list.
Jacqueline Humphries, aged 53, from Tipton, who has worked in the civil service for 32 years, has spoken of her delight at getting the accolade.
She has received a BEM for her work at the Tipton Job Centre and within the community.
Mrs Humphries, who is married to Kevin and has a 23-year-old daughter, Kelly, has also volunteered with the brownies, church and numerous charities.
She said: "I thought it was a joke but it's nice to know my community work is well received."
Selfless couple Kath and Roy Shayler have cared for scores of youngsters in Wolverhampton for the past four decades, and were honoured with MBEs for their efforts to provide a home for the city's children.
The kind-hearted couple have fostered more than 150 children since welcoming their first back in February 1972.
Kath, 67, and Roy, 66, have not looked back in the 43 years since.
Their extended family still meets up for Sunday lunch, with Kath and Roy often finding themselves cooking for 25.
"We were so surprised to get the letter saying we were to be made MBEs - we couldn't believe it and I'd like to say a huge thank you to whoever it was who put our names forward," Kath said.
"We are bursting with pride."
Over the years, Kath and Roy – who have six children of their own – have fostered more than 150 children for the City of Wolverhampton Council, from babies and toddlers through to teenage girls with their own children.
The pair, who first met when they were 14, have continued to foster children from Wolverhampton on long-term placements since moving from their home in Fallings Park to Weymouth in Dorset in the 1990s.
Another award winner is an expert in learning disabilities, who has been handed his second helping of New Year's Honours joy - adding a CBE to the OBE he received 15 years ago.
Professor Barry Carpenter, who lives in Chaddesley Corbett and has an adult daughter with Down's syndrome, was awarded the honour for services to special educational needs.
He holds honorary chairs at the Universities of Worcestershire, Limerick, Hamburg, and Flinders in Australia.
Professor Carpenter, who was born in Cradley Heath and studied at Rowley Regis Grammar School, said: "It's a great honour to receive this recognition.
"I'm over the moon - they say lightning doesn't strike twice but it has."
Councillor Sandra Samuels, City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, has been handed an OBE for political service and services to local government.
She has been involved in local government for four decades and said she was stunned by the award.
During her time with the NHS, Councillor Samuels spend 20 years as a senior nurse, working in heart and lung and neurosurgical theatres.
Councillor Samuels said: "I'm delighted but shocked and still trying to get my head around it."
Wolverhampton-based foster carers Clifford and Jacqueline Bennett both netted MBEs for services to children and families.
They have fostered around 200 children in the past 40 years.
Mr Bennett, 62, said: "We were very surprised when we found out - we were told we'd been put forward for an award but that's all we knew.
"As far as we're concerned we're just the same as any other foster carers in Wolverhampton or anywhere else.
"It was a big surprise but a great feeling."
Mother-of-eight Pearly Reid, 80, has received the British Empire Medal for her community work.
Mrs Reid, from West Bromwich, worked as a care nurse at Sandwell General Hospital until retiring 20 years ago.
She was an active member of the Mothers' Union while also serving on the Parochial Church Council at All Saints Parish, West Bromwich.
Mrs Reid served as a governor at All Saints School for 30 years and still gives her time to take communion to sick and disabled people who are unable to attend church services.
Sinead Butters, chief executive of the Staffordshire-based Aspire Group, has been awarded an MBE for services to housing.
The group is a social regeneration business that aims to build affordable homes.
An expert in special care dentistry at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has also been awarded an MBE.
Jane Davies-Slowik, who has worked in the city for more than 16 years, has been honoured for her work to improve oral health for disadvantaged people.
A pioneering professor at Birmingham Children's Hospital who set up its world-renowned liver unit and helped save thousands of lives has been honoured with a CBE.
Professor Deirdre Kelly set up the specialist paediatric liver unit in 1989.
A police officer of more than two decades standing has been recognised for his tireless efforts in supporting the homeless.
Ian Northcott, who served with West Midlands Police for 23 years, has been named a recipient of the British Empire Medal after setting up the Socks and Chocs charity which distributes thousands of items across the UK.
Commander of British Empire CBE Professor Barry Carpenter, of Rowley Regis.
Officer of British Empire OBE Mrs Sandra Samuels, councillor for Wolverhampton City Council, for political service and services to Local Government.
Ahmed Jamal Nasir Awan, of Staffordshire, chief executive officer Awan Marketing International, for services to Business and International Trade.
Mrs Janet Burns, of Great Wyrley, chairman of National Dignity Council, for services for the Promotion of Dignity in Care for All.
Mrs Sinead Butters, of Stone, chief executive, Aspire Group, for services to Housing.
Brian Robert Edwards, of Stourton, councillor for South Staffordshire Council, for services to Local Government.
Philip Anthony Leason, of Stone, customer service adviser Staffordshire, for services to Royal Mail and to the community in Stone.
Member of British Empire MBE Clifford Alan Bennett, of Wolverhampton, foster carer for Wolverhampton City Council, for services to Children and Families.
Mrs Jacqueline Bennett, of Wolverhampton, a foster carer, Wolverhampton City Council, for her services to children and families across the area.
Stuart Chapman, of Walsall, development manager at Walsall Tenants and Residents Federation, for services to tenants in Walsall.
Clifford Joseph Price (known by his performer name Goldie), of Tring, Hertfordshire, for services to Music and Young People.
Mrs Heather Tobin, formerly Detective Inspector of West Midlands Police, for her services to Public Protection across the West Midlands region.
British Empire Medal BEM Mrs Jacqueline Humphries, of Tipton, for services to the community in the West Midlands.
Mrs Pearly May Reid, of West Bromwich, for services to the community in West Bromwich.
Mrs Veronica Box, of Burntwood, for services to the community in Burntwood.
Robert Charles Henry Mudway, of Brocton, for services to the community in Brocton Staffordshire.
Queens Police Medal QPM Steven Craddock, formerly Detective Supt West Midlands Police.
