A HIGH-flying Kingswinford fundraiser and volunteer has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his tireless community work.
John Deane collected the gong in the New Year’s Honours to recognise his long association with air force groups who remember past heroes and encourage the flyers of the future.
Mr Deane, of Maygrove Road, joined the Dudley branch of the Air Training Force Association in 1964.
The 77-year-old said: “It was quite a surprise, it is nice to be recognised, I would like to think it might inspire others.
"When I was told it was difficult to keep quiet, I spoke to someone who got a medal a couple of years ago and they said it was difficult keeping quiet.”
Mr Deane’s work includes raising funds to pay for a cenotaph in Dudley, organising Battle of Britain, remembrance and armistice commemorations plus co-ordinating the RAFA Wings Appeal with cadets from the Air Training Corps.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here