The co-founder of a Croydon Leukaemia charity has been awarded an OBE for his services to healthcare.

Orin Lewis was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, by the Queen at a ceremony at Windsor Castle on March 2.

The former IT Project manager helped set up the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) with his partner Beverley DeGale, whose son Daniel fought Leukaemia.

Mrs DeGale was honoured with an OBE in June 2011, and Mr Lewis, 54, a nominated Croydon Guardian Champion, has now joined her in the honour.

He said: "I am deeply touched and ever so proud of being awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen for my services to Healthcare in Britain.

"I feel extremely honoured and accept it on behalf of my children, family and everyone associated with the life saving work of the ACLT.

"It does fill me with joy that our efforts have this year been recognised to the extent that first Beverly and now I, have been awarded this prestigious honour."

It was in 1996 Mr Lewis and Mrs DeGale received the news 8-year-old Daniel would need a life saving bone marrow transplant in order to win his three year battle against Leukaemia.

Daniel overcame Leukaemia, but died aged 21 in 2008 from an unrelated illness. Since then, the pair have dedicated their lives to encouraging people from the black community to donate blood and bone marrow to help others.

Mr Lewis added: "This honour is an achievement we didn't even dream of attaining when we first started this journey.

"It fills our hearts that we know Daniel will be looking down on us both, punching his fist happily in the air re this current honour."

For more information on the ACLT visit www.aclt.org