A Falmouth fundraiser for disabled veterans in sport said he was pleased to be able to “give something back” after being recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Edwin Thomas, chairman of the British Ex-Services Wheelchair Sports Association, has been made an MBE for services to disability sport and the community in Cornwall.

A wheelchair-disabled veteran, he became chair of the association in 1995 and since then has helped to raise nearly £1.2 million to encourage support other veterans in sport.

However, he is no stranger to sporting success himself, having represented Great Britain at the Summer Paralympics in Seoul in 1988, coming fourth in the shot-put, javelin and discuss.

He formerly served as an Able Seaman with the Royal Navy for 12 years, stationed in Singapore.

Since then he has dedicated his time to being a field coach for disabled people, coached children with special needs and also veterans.

He is also a retired Justice of the Peace, serving both at Truro Magistrates’ Court and Truro Crown Court for 11 years.

Mr Thomas, who lives in Falmouth with this wife Marilyn, said he as “just totally honoured” to be recognised in this way.

He said: “I just didn’t expect it; I’m still getting over it.

“Because I’m disabled so many people have helped me with my life, it’s just nice to be able to give something back to the people of Cornwall.”

He has yet to find out who put him forward for the honour – although he has “a suspicion” – but he added: “I’m just very, very grateful to them and very pleased that they put me forward. Whether I deserve it or not, I don’t know.”

Appointed an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) is Dr Jenny Blunden, chief executive officer of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, for services to education.

Falmouth Packet:

Dr Jenny Blunden, chief executive officer of the Truro and Penwith Academy Trust

She said: “I am delighted, amazed and honoured to be recognised in this way and this is very much about our whole Trust, not about one person.

“This is a reflection of the hard work of many people across our Trust who are completely focused on improving the education and life chances for children in Cornwall.”

The Trust was founded by Truro and Penwith College in 2014 and in February this year Ofsted found Dr Blunden to provide “inspirational and strategic leadership.”It has grown from only three sponsored schools in 2014 to 28 primary and secondary schools in Cornwall, with Dr Blunden becoming chief executive officer in 2015.

She was previously ‘director of teaching school’ with Truro and Penwith College and previously a member of the national Teaching Schools Council.

Also becoming an OBE is Catherine Mead from Falmouth, for services to cheese making and the community in the South West of England.

Elsewhere locally, Roger Mead from Mabe has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to charity.

He is chairman of Bolingey Barbarians, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last season.

Not only does it provide mixed side rugby against Cornwall clubs at senior, junior and veteran level, it also raises funds for disadvantaged children in the county, donating more than £100,000 to 57 organisations and groups to date.

OBE

Catherine Mead, Falmouth, for services to cheese making and the community in the South West of England.

Dr Jenny Blunden, Truro, services to education. David and Elisabeth Carney-Hayworth, co-founders Operation Encompass.

MBE

Jacqui White, Wadebridge, services to those living in poverty in North Cornwall.

John Casson, Portloe, services to charity.

Edwin Thomas, Falmouth, services to disability sport and the community in Cornwall.

Richard Healy, services for wildlife management, Cornwall.

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (BEM)

Roger Stanford Mead, Mabe.

June Trevithick, Callington.