PARALYMPIC champion Sascha Kindred says he hopes he can inspire others to never give up on their dreams after being awarded a CBE.

It was a hugely successful year for Sascha who, after winning gold in Rio, was made the first ever honorary freeman of Herefordshire in December and was voted 2016 Sports Personality of the Year at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Sports Awards.

The 39-year-old, who received an OBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours, said of the latest honour: “It is definitely a great honour to add to the rest of what I have achieved this year.

“No matter what background you come from and what your life is like you can still chase your dreams and achieve that. For me, having a disability when I was younger and growing up, there were a lot of hard times and negativity about how I would achieve things.

“But it’s a case of being strongwilled and strong-minded and having support from family around you that can help you achieve those things.”

Meanwhile, Heléna Herklots, from Hay-on-Wye, received a CBE for her services to carers after 25 years working in the charity sector. Mrs Herklots is chief executive of Carers UK, the national membership charity for the UK’s 6.5 million carers.

She has led and contributed to a number of government advisory and working groups, covering care and support, housing, dementia, and carers.

She said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award, and pay tribute to all those who I have worked with, who have supported and challenged me, and who have helped me to make Ten county heroes recognised in New Year Honours list a difference.”

Among those to receive an OBE was Sheila Hardwick from Kington for her services to forensic science.

Ms Hardwick is a senior scientific officer for the Centre for Applied Science and Technology Home Office.

Air Vice Marshal Mike Smart, said he was ‘humbled’ to receive an OBE for voluntary service to the armed forces and the ex-service community.

Mr Smart, who lives near Kington, is the Vice Chairman (air) for the West Midlands branch of the Council of Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations.

He was the chairman of the Herefordshire branch of SSAFA which supports veterans and service personnel, and their families, for 15 years before handing over the role last year.

Mr Smart, 74, said: “It was one of those surprises. You think ‘my goodness, somebody has gone to great trouble to nominate me’ and that’s extremely kind but I just do enjoy doing what I am doing.”

Mr Smart has also played an important role in the Herefordshire Armed Forces Community Covenant, helped plan and organise the Queen’s visit to the county as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour in 2012 and has been involved with the First World War commemorations Major James Hereford received an MBE for his services to the county and The Rifles.

Mr Hereford served across the world. Once retired he was appointed as the Herefordshire County Colonel for The Rifles between 2007 and 2014. The chief executive of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, Glyn Morgan, who is also the cathedral’s chapter clerk, was also given an MBE for services to Hereford Cathedral and the community in Herefordshire.

During his time as chief executive, Mr Morgan, has been involved with and responsible for aspects of projects that have included the restoration of the Cathedral Close and the cathedral’s new interior lighting, along with negotiating and coordinating the exhibition of the Hereford Magna Carta at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Texas (2014) and its subsequent world tour in the later part of 2015.

Also on the MBE honours list was Professor Fiona Sampson from Carey for her services to literature and the literacy community.

Mary Quinn, an education consultant and former executive principal at Stourport High School and Sixth Form College who lives in Leominster, was awarded an MBE for services to education.

In the BEM honours list was Eva Thomas for services to the community in Little Hereford.

The 74-year-old retired to the area 21 years ago after originally living near Liverpool and has since thrown herself into community life. Bodenham’s Barbara Mitcheson, 67, has also received a BEM for services to the community in Herefordshire. She helped found the Bodenham Flood Protection Group in 2008.