June Brown – aka Dot Cotton, Walford's former launderette manager – has been awarded the mbe for her work at the Michael Elliott Trust at Peak Forest in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

The unique charity shelters donkeys from cruelty – and helps disabled and disadvantaged children who come on holiday to care for them through the therapy created when child and animal bond.

June has been involved with the charity for two decades, and her chain-smoking, wise-cracking presence an almost a permanent fixture at weekends away from the gruelling schedule of filming.

Fellow actor John Stirling, who runs the Trust with his wife Annie, raised eyebrows when he first brought June to Buxton Festival 20 years ago when he was asked to produce a masterclass on the composer Donnezetti.

He was offered a symphony orchestra and three leading singers from Covent Garden. "Eyebrows where raised when I asked for June Brown to carry the whole evening off, he said."

June was then better known as the manager of the Launderette in Albert Square. "But I knew June Brown as one of this country's most accomplished classical and character actresses. Committee room chairs started to shift uncomfortably.

"I could see they felt a disaster was about to be unfolded before them. How wrong they were – the night sold out and a friendship was born."

Since then June has raised over half a million pounds single-handedly; she has refurbished a six bedroom farmhouse for children and their carers, she has rescued many many donkeys from cruelty and neglect and she has worked hands-on with schools.

"It is the most beautiful setting for children and us," she always tells everybody who visits the Trust.

"I didn't know much about Derbyshire when I first started but now, to me, it's a haven for so many people and animals."

June has taken part in all three big charity walks with donkeys: from Balmoral to London; Galway Bay to Manchester and Coast to Coast.

"She has stood beside Annie and myself in a private audience for an hour with the Queen, holding her donkey and explaining to Her Majesty the work the animal achieves and how much pleasure he gives so many," said John.

June has taken the donkeys to Downing Street, and to services in places as different as Liverpool Cathedral and a small chapel at Great Longstone.

"On top of all this every month she found time to work with our special needs children who simply adore her.

Her work at the Trust has taken in many different facets. She has helped young offendersin the Peak District; she promotes foster parenting, and her long association with the three Chesterfield special schools have gained her tremendous admiration from parents and teaching staff.

"June Brown MBE's work here in Buxton makes us all very proud," said John.

"Twenty years ago nobody gave us a chance of getting the project off the ground – only one woman stood beside us through terrible times.

"This Christmas she arrives back up here to celebrate with you all by undertaking the biggest christmas spectacular, under the Dome.

"Surrounded by her 40 cherished donkeys she will host a weekend to beat all weekends.

"With her many actors, singers and musicians, she intends to thank Buxton and Derbyshire for the privilege of having been able to work amongst you all for so long.