CLUTCHING onto a photo of her son as she walked up to collect her OBE from HRH Prince Charles on Friday, Wendy Parry hoped the honour will continue to keep the memory of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball alive.

The mother of Tim, who together with three-year-old Johnathan, was killed in an IRA bomb blast in Warrington twenty years ago, remembers her heart pounding in her chest as she received the OBE in the Queen's 2013 Birthday Honours list.

Wendy said: “Dominic, Abbi and Colin came so it was a real family affair. I took a picture of Tim in my pocket so it felt like we were all together on the day.”

The 55-year-old, who found out that she was going to receive an OBE six months ago, said she was shocked to receive the award but honoured at the same time.

Wendy, who has spent tireless years campaigning for peace, added: “It was a surprise and I did have to read the letter a couple of times. When I was finally able to tell people, a dozen people told me that they had nominated me. That was lovely to hear.”

Wendy is the co-founder of the Foundation for Peace, which was established in the boys’ memory alongside her husband Colin, who received an OBE in 2004.

Wendy is the inspiration behind the creation of the international Peace Centre in Warrington, which opened in 2000 to help support people affected by political violence and terrorism and promote programmes in the prevention and resolution of violent conflict.

Wendy said: “This is for Tim and Johnathan. Everything we have done is to keep their names and memories alive so people do not forget them.

“This could be another thing that could help do that.”