A stalwart of Buckinghamshire sport was given a lifetime achievement award at a glittering celebration of the Olympics.
Professor Peter Thomas MBE, retiring chairman of Bucks & Milton Keynes Sports Partnership was praised for a lifetime in sport by Bucks deputy lieutenant Alexander Boswell at a dinner at the MK Dons stadium, in Milton Keynes.
Mr Boswell said Professor Thomas had “lit up” the community with his work for more than 30 years.
“We honour all you have done for sport,” he added.
Professor Thomas will be stepping down from the partnership, based in Pembroke Road, Aylesbury, in September.
The proud Welshman had been a football player and coach in Swansea before joining Bucks County Council as a senior officer.
He officially retired in 1996 but has played a senior role for a string of national and local sports organisations since then. Mr Boswell said the professor had shown ‘bubbling enthusiasm’ during his time at the helm.
Professor Thomas will be succeeded in the autumn by Roger Fennemore of the SportsAid charity in Milton Keynes, which gives grants to up and coming young stars.
The event, on Monday, July 9, raised more than £20,000 for SportsAid.
Meanwhile, nominations are needed to reward deserving people in Bucks with an honour.
Anyone can be nominated for an honour with exceptional nominations rewarded.
A spokesman forBuckingham Palace said: “There are so many unsung heroes who deserve to be honoured, but they need someone to nominate them.”