AN OKEHAMPTON woman is to receive the MBE for her voluntary work as leader of a national blind association.

Gwyneth Dickinson, who used to be a nurse at the Old Castle Hospital in Okehampton, has been a trustee, chairman and now president of the Macular Disease Society.

She joined the society in 1997 when, at the age of 58, she was diagnosed with the disease.

The condition robs people of their central vision, meaning they cannot read, drive or recognise faces and for most forms there is no treatment.

Then the MDS was a small and struggling charity with 4,000 members and few people had even heard of macular degeneration even through it is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK.

In spite of her worsening sight, Gwyneth immediately began working to improve care for people with MD in her area and she led the charity through a rapid expansion through her 'wisdom, good judgement and leadership,' said charity workers.

Today MDS is recognised as the specialist organisation for people with the disease, working closely with the NHS, medical professionals and other charities to improve life for sufferers.

It has the biggest patient membership of any charity in the visual impairment sector with more than 16,000 members and almost 200 local support groups around the UK, including seven in Devon.

Mrs Dickinson said she initially thought the official looking letterhead from the Queen was a parking ticket for her husband.

'It was an absolute surprise,' she said. 'When I realised what it was I was amazed and very pleased. I still can't get over it really and I think it is great that it has come to Okehampton.'

She said she was very proud of the society and its volunteers and staff: 'My proudest moment came in August 2008 when the National Institution of Health and Clinical Excellence finally approved a treatment for one form of MD.

'We and the Royal National Institute for Blind People had campaigned for several years for this treatment to be available so that people did not have to lose their sight. It was a great achievement.

'I feel that people with MD now have a voice in the form of the Macular Disease Society.

'Life for people newly diagnosed with MD is still very tough but it is made much more bearable by the society.'

Chief executive officer for MDS Helen Jackson said: 'We are delighted that Gwyneth's enormous contribution to the cause of people with macular disease has been recognised.

'She is a tremendous leader and inspiring motivator of staff and volunteers and has made a difference to the lives of many thousands of people with MD.'

l A dedicated sportswomen from Beaworthy has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Chairman of Netball South West, Heather Alice Crouch from Beaworthy, was awarded the MBE in recognition of her 40 years of voluntary service and contribution to netball.

Netball South West director Gilly Salter said the news brought magic to her ears and stated Ms Crouch would be surprised and elated to receive such an honour.