Stoke ex-soldier David Stuttard's MBE for charity work
Monday 13 June 2011 11:23 AM
A former soldier from Staffordshire who lost most of his sight to diabetes is among those recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
David Stuttard, 65, who lives in Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, is appointed MBE for his charitable services.
Mr Stuttard uses his skills learnt in the Royal Engineers to improve water sanitation in Ghana to stop people losing their sight.
He set up his organisation, MyUbique, in 2005.
Since then 50,000 people have been given access to clean drinking water.
'Absolutely elated'
Mr Stuttard, originally from Manchester, said: "When I think of all those people having access to clean water, and that it came about by me losing my sight, it's quite amazing.
"When I told my family about the MBE they were absolutely elated.
"I hope it highlights our charity."
Mr Stuttard is also a trustee for St Dunstan's, a UK charity that helps blind and partially sighted ex-servicemen and women.
He said: "They helped me deal with my blindness and inspired me to do other things."
Other Staffordshire residents on the list include Peter Atkins, who was made an MBE for services to journalism and to the community in Staffordshire, and Angela Evans, a respiratory physiologist at NHS Stoke Primary Care Trust, who was appointed MBE for services to healthcare.
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