“It’s really wonderful, to me it’s recognition for the Forum Music Studio and everyone behind it.”
Campaigner Gill Castle, from Alnwick, received a BEM for services for people living with stomas.
In 2023, she became the first person fitted with a stoma to swim across the English Channel.
Earlier this year she climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for her charity, Chameleon Buddies, which helps women in Kenya who have stomas.
John Hearn, known as Jack, from Cramlington also received a BEM for services to judo and North East community.
The World War Two veteran was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest Judo teacher in the world.
He is the oldest person honoured this year, aged 102.