SHARON Beckett, chief executive of Sight Cymru, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queens New Year’s Honours list for services to Blind and Partially Sighted People.

Sharon, who lives in Woolaston, heads a team of about 25 staff and 100 volunteers, providing the the only entirely Welsh sight loss services throughout Wales.

She said: “I feel really proud and honoured but at the end of the day its all about the team and the credit is as much for them.

“Sight Cymru is an amazing bunch of people who do a fantastic job.

“Formerly Sight Support, we are an independent charity, established in 1865 but it has changed dramatically over the years.

“Once, it was more about dispensing alms to the poor but now it’s about helping people lead more independent lives.”