A West Wales nurse has been recognised for her services to nursing.
Kiera Jones, lead nurse at Skanda Vale Hospice near Llandysul, has been appointed MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The recognition was given for services to nursing.
Ms Jones said: "I didn't really believe it at first – it felt quite surreal, and I had to ask my husband to read the letter to check I'd understood.
"The messages of support have been amazing."
She marked the news in a deeply personal way, by taking four of the hospice’s respite patients for a day out at Poppit Sands.
With the help of a wheelchair fitted with balloon tyres, patients were able to paddle in the sea and enjoy the sand.
Ms Jones said: "Some of our team and patients got to paddle in the sea and feel the sand between their toes.
"That joy is exactly why we do what we do."
Ms Jones has worked at Skanda Vale Hospice for 10 years and has spent 24 years in palliative care, ever since a placement with a district nursing team during her second year as a student nurse.
Alongside her leadership role, she is a Soul Midwife, sitting with people who are dying and supporting them and their families through it.
She also runs events to give people a gentle way to talk about death and dying.
Brother Jakob, hospice manager, said: "Kiera is an outstanding nurse, but what people remember is how human she is with it.
"She knows the clinical side inside out, and she never makes anyone feel like a patient rather than a person.
"That's a rare combination, and it's exactly why she's been recognised."
Ms Jones is one of 84 people from Wales included in this year’s honours list.
She was also awarded the RCN Wales Nurse of the Year 2024 in the Suzanne Goodall Independent Sector Nursing category.
In addition to her clinical and leadership achievements, she has raised around £13,000 for the hospice.
Skanda Vale Hospice provides free day and respite care for people with life-limiting illnesses across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire.
The hospice is volunteer-run and almost entirely funded by donations.
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