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From One Queen to Another!
THE Queen of Blackpool is set to meet the Queen of England!
Charity legend Pat Mancini is raising a glass today after being awarded an MBE in the New Years' honours list.
And she admitted that more than 20 years of "rattling tins and annoying the resort's visitors" was worth the accolade from one Queen to another.
The 67-year-old hotelier, who reckons she has raised a staggering 2m in 22 years of fundraising, said the award had been the hardest secret to keep from her family and employees.
She said: "I've only told them that I've some big news for them in the New Year - many of them thought I was selling the hotel!"
Pat, who owns the Queens Hotel on South Promenade, is being rewarded for services to charity.
She is one of five Fylde coast residents to be honoured this year.
Pat said: "I'm overwhelmed to receive such an honour.
"It's fantastic and I just wish my mum and late husband Rudi could be around to share it with me.
"When I got the letter I cried and there was no-one I could share my delight with.
"I did the obvious thing and went to see Rudi and my mum at their graves - they would have been so proud of me.
"I've been raising money for all sorts of charities for around 22 years and all the money we raise stays on the Fylde.
"All those nights of trailing the Promenade and standing out in all weathers rattling tins and annoying visitors has paid off.
"This is one of the proudest days of my life."
Pat arrived in Blackpool in 1967 for a day out with Rudi Mancini and stayed.
She started off as a barmaid at the Queen's Hotel before she and Rudi bought the landmark hotel outright.
From then on she took over control of the Queendeans charity and with a committee of just nine people she made it one of the biggest fundraising organisations on the Fylde coast.
The Queendeans buys much-needed equipment for a number of deserving associations.
Dozens of charities have benefited from Pat's years of fundraising, including Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Blind Association, the Scouts, numerous schools and voluntary organisations.
Three years ago, she also handed over 20,000 to the MacMillan scanner appeal at Blackpool Vic - a piece of equipment that has benefited her long-term friend Joe Longthorne.
Aside from being chair of the charity organisation, Pat is also the executive chairman of the Blackpool Society for the Blind and president of the Polio Association.
For many years she has also been the biggest individual supporter of the voluntary fund which supports Blackpool Illuminations.
Pat added: "When I came to the Queens I was told about the charity work they did through the Queendeans organisation.
"I found that I had more time on my hands and I wanted to do more to help out people who really needed it.
"I've see so many people in desperate times. People who have so little and it is such a joy to be able to help them out.
"There have been times of struggle, but I've fought and fought and have even been in trouble for my fundraising antics.
"But when you receive a letter saying you are being awarded an MBE it all seems worth it in the end.
"It has been very difficult keeping this from all the staff at the hotel and my friends and family.
"I have no plans for that, but this is much better and the best news I could ever have hoped for.
"I'm over the moon and will wear the biggest smile in Blackpool over the next few days!"
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 23 C
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