A man who has spent over 65 years volunteering for St John Ambulance said he felt “shocked and honoured” to be recognised with an MBE in the New year’s Honours list.

Colin Heywood, 80, joined the St John Ambulance service as a cadet when he was 14 and has served in a variety of positions.

After joining because he “wanted to be part of a band”, Colin worked his way up to be commissioner for Sussex and set up the charity’s homeless unit in Brighton, which also operates in Hastings.

Colin, from Sompting, said: “I feel very honoured and I have a lot of people to thank. I think people will be very pleased when they find out but I have been sworn to secrecy.”

In 2001, Colin set up the charity’s homeless healthcare service which is “thriving” after he served as chairman of the unit for ten years.

After stepping down as commissioner, Colin became an events team manager and helped to mentor young volunteers for the charity.

He also organise a weekly phone call for volunteers trying to shield during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Colin was given an MBE for services to the charity in East and West Sussex.