It all started from the garage of her home 15 years ago.

Vivien Cooper set up a charity to support families who care for young people with severe learning disabilities after her experience with her son Daniel.

He had to leave home when he was nine and go to a school in Lancashire because it was the only place that had the knowledge to cater for his severe learning disabilities.

Mrs Cooper, of Twydall Lane, Gillingham, started with nothing, but through sheer hard work the Challenging Behaviour Foundation grew to become a national charity.

It now helps almost 2,000 families across the country.

This weekend her dedication was recognised when she was made an Order of the British Empire for services to people with severe learning disabilities and their families as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Mrs Cooper, 52, said the award had come as a great surprise.

She said: “It’s a great honour and it’s great that the work we’ve done with charity has been recognised.”

She has lived in Medway for almost 30 years and also has two daughters – Hannah, 25, and 20-year-old Sophie.

The charity is now based at an office in New Road, Chatham, and provides telephone support, information sheets and DVDs to families. It also provides training and information to professionals who work with young people with challenging behaviour.

Daniel, who is now 26, lives in a bungalow where he gets one-to-one support.

Mrs Cooper said: “It’s made a huge difference to us as a family. It shows that an individual with that level of need can have fulfilling lives as part of their local community.”

Another one of the Towns’ residents who has been recognised in the honours list is Pat Leviston.

She has been given a British Empire Medal in recognition for her services to the community in Cliffe.

The BEM has been re-established as a way of recognising those who do good work for their community as part of the government’s Big Society.