MBE for Kate Allen, champion of the disabled

Kate Allen has been awarded an MBE in the new year's honours list. She said: "I am grinning from ear to ear about the honour. I am so chuffed to be recognised. I replied straight away when I was asked if I would accept the MBE."

Kate (78) was chosen to receive her award because of her role as a local hero. She has helped thousands of disabled people achieve a better quality of life through her tireless and unstinting work on their behalf.

It all began when Kate married her late husband, a disabled man, in 1965. She became the secretary of the West Sussex Club for Disabled Men the following year and stayed in the position for a staggering 34 years. For much of that lengthy period '“ 1969 to 2000 '“ she also chaired the group.

She organised home visits to help and advise members' families obtain grants, organised countless excursions, fundraising events and arranged talks by visiting experts.

In 1979, she was approached by Arun District Council to form an association to promote sport for the disabled.

The resulting ASAD group is soon to celebrate its 30th anniversary in another testament to Kate's many hours of unpaid work. She is ASAD's current secretary and chairman to continue her strong links with the organisation.

Its 40 or so members meet weekly to enjoy a wide range of sports. They include archery, short mat bowls, curling, boccia and pistol shooting.

Kate has overseen two successful moves by ASAD to its current home at the Arena sports centre in Westloats Lane in Bognor Regis.

She takes an ASAD party to compete in county games held annually in Crawley and also the Bognor Regis Lions Club's swimathon each autumn.

A spokesman for the government's Cabinet Office said: "It is felt that without Kate's contribution ASAD would have dissolved but, due to her, it has provided valuable sporting opportunities for disabled people."

Kate, of Homefield Avenue, said modestly: "I enjoy being with the ASAD members. There is so much love there. I get hugs and kisses when they see me. I can watch the members progress in the various sports and there have definitely been more ups than downs during my time there."

She also played a leading role in setting up the Shopmobility scheme in Bognor, which provides electric scooters and wheelchairs to enable disabled people to get out and about around the town centre and along the seafront, and remains as a volunteer.

Not content with those contributions, Kate's community involvement extends to the Sammy Community Transport scheme around Bognor and the Bognor Beavers club for blind people.

n An MBE has also been awarded to Pauline Allen for her services to the independent monitoring board at Ford Open Prison.

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