A long-standing nurse from Bradford was among those named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List who were offered the chance to attend her funeral.

Nancy O’Neill, a long-serving nurse from Bradford, was awarded an MBE in recognition of her achievements over a 41-year career in the NHS, as a nurse and NHS manager. She had played a vital role in developing local health and care partnerships.

Nancy’s skills were a huge asset for Bradford district and Craven during the pandemic, when she was at the forefront of the Covid-19 response, stepping forward from her ‘day job’ as Strategic Director of Transformation and Change, to establish the first local testing centre for staff within 24 hours, which went on to be the best performing satellite testing service in the country.

After attending the funeral in Westminster Abbey today, she told BBC Look North the experience had been “absolutely amazing” and that she hadn’t expected it to be as “spectacular” as it was.

She said she’d felt a real “weight of history” as she walked into the Abbey and had been so close to proceedings that "I could literally have touched the coffin as it went past."

She recalled how she could hear the pipers and drummers drawing closer until they were right outside the door. She spoke of the mixed emotions of sadness, excitement and trepidation, adding that it would only sink in during the coming days and weeks.

Nancy added that she was thinking of NHS colleagues throughout the ceremony.