THE founder of a Stourton charity has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her tireless work supporting young pregnant mums.

Jane Chapman set up the Living Springs centre in 1989 after enduring the heartbreak of four miscarriages.

Based at Barratts Coppice Farmhouse, Bridgnorth Road, it has taken in 600 vulnerable pregnant teens over the years, giving them a safe haven and teaching them how to be good mothers so they can live independently in the community.

Jane said she was shocked but delighted to get the MBE.

The 59-year-old mum-of-one said: “I must admit I thought it was a hoax at first. I thought nice things like this don’t happen to ordinary people like me.

“I was speechless when I realised it was for real.”

Jane was moved to start the centre after having a dream in which she saw herself and husband Robert living in a house with lots of teenage mums and babies.

She went out and made it a reality by buying the present site where young mums live until they are ready to tackle life in the outside world with their offspring.

Jane said: “Babies are very precious - when you have had my experiences you appreciate how special they are.

“I worried that girls who got pregnant with nowhere to go might be forced to terminate their pregnancy. Having lost babies I knew how painful that was and wanted to offer an alternative.”

Jane finally gave birth to her son Peter, who is now 27, after spending most of her pregnancy in hospital.

Her husband Robert, who is the centre’s chairman, runs Chapman’s Electrical in Cradley Heath.

Living Springs, which relies on grants, donations and cash raised through fundraising events, is currently undergoing a £150k project to convert derelict outbuildings into accommodation. It has housed young mums from anything from three months to two years depending on their needs.