A RETIRED children’s doctor who has helped needy youngsters overseas for 20 years has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Dr Judith Darmady, of Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, was recognised for services to children’s well-being overseas.

The 74-year-old is the chairman of two charities, the Ungureni Trust in Romania and United Aid for Azerbaijan. They help children in care or who are in danger of going into often poorly maintained orphanages.

She has also travelled to countries in Africa, to Israel and Costa Rica on behalf of other charities that help children.

She told The Gazette: “I feel very honoured. It’s a lovely feeling to know that people think you are worthy of it.

“I was particularly shocked because it was an OBE.

“It took me some time to realise that it was an OBE.”

Dr Darmady, who had a long career as a paediatrician at Basingstoke hospital before retiring in 1995, has visited Romania around 100 times as a volunteer for the past 20 years.

Dr Darmady was not the only person from Basingstoke and north Hampshire to be honoured.

Sheelagh O’Flaherty-Hobbs, of West Green Road, Hartley Wintney, was made an MBE for her work as a volunteer social worker at RAF Odiham.

The 74-year-old has volunteered for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association charity at the north Hampshire air station since 1988.

Two years ago she helped set up a weekly drop-in clinic at the base for the families of those personnel who are currently serving abroad, such as in Afghanistan.

The grandmother-of-three thanked Group Captain Andy Turner, the former station commander at RAF Odiham, for nominating her.

She added: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be included. I love all service families and I always do my best.”

Also named in the honours list was Brian Etheridge, a 51-year-old man born in Basingstoke and currently living in Old Basing. He was made a CBE for his role as a director of the Civil Service Capability Group at the Cabinet Office.

And Robert Neville, 61, of Gutteridge Lane, Tadley, received an MBE for his work with the National Air Traffic Services Trade Union.

The former air traffic controller retired last week from his post at the National Air Traffic Service in Swanwick, directing planes from Heathrow.

He said: “I am proud and honoured. I certainly wasn’t expecting it and to be honest I thought I was on the end of an elaborate hoax.”

Meridian Tonight newsreader Fred Dinenage was made an MBE for his services to broadcasting.

The 68-year-old, from Waterlooville, said: “I’m being honoured for enjoying myself.”