Along with guide Evans, visually impaired skier Gallagher won the super-G event in Sochi in March and by doing so became Great Britain's first ever Winter Paralympic gold medal winner.

Both were awarded Membership of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), with Gallagher honoured for services to sport for people with a visual impairment, while Evans was recognised for services to Paralympic sport.

"Without sounding arrogant, I know how much work we put into this and it is really nice to be recognised by people from outside our sport," 29-year-old Gallagher said of the recognition.

"The coverage we have received means so much to us because it means people have recognised that commitment, and it proves to others that they are capable of achieving great things whatever their goals are in life."

Evans also expressed her delight, writing on Twitter that the award proves "Friday 13th isn't so unlucky after all", and that she feels "so honoured and happy".

Gallagher and Evans secured a first ever Winter Paralympic gold medal for Britain in Sochi ©Getty Images



A third recipient from the Paralympic Movement was Jenny Archer, the lifelong coach of one of Britain's greatest stars of recent times in six-time Paralympic champion wheelchair racer David Weir. 

Archer, who has coached Weir since 2002, received an MBE for services to disabled sport.

Under her charge, Weir has won 10 Paralympic medals including six golds, in addition to six world titles, with the 35-year-old having already been awarded  in recognition of his four victories at London 2012.

"It is about time and I am delighted for her and I am sure she will relish the day," Weir told Press Association Sport.

"I wouldn't have won any of my medals without Jenny.

"Without her pushing me in training every day I wouldn't have had my world records or my London Marathon wins and I wouldn't have been famous."

In April 2013, the pair also collectively launched the Weir Archer Academy, based at the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium in Surrey, Great Britain to help unearth future Paralympic medal winners.

Jenny Archer, coach of four time London 2012 gold medal winner David Weir, was also honoured ©AFP/Getty Images