A former Caerphilly County Borough mayor has received a British Empire Medal.
Leon Gardiner, 85, was named in the New Year’s Honours List in December and was presented with his medal at the council headquarters on Tuesday, August 20.
A much-loved Labour councillor for 45 years, Mr Gardiner represented the Argoed, Cefn Fforest, and Blackwood wards and stepped down as a councillor before the 2017 council elections.
During his spell as Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough in 2015/16, Mr Gardiner helped raise around £18,000 for Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice and MacMillan Cancer Support.
Mr Gardiner was presented with his medal by The Queen’s representative for the County of Gwent, The Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Robert Aitken.
After receiving his medal, Mr Gardiner told Caerphilly Observer: “It’s unbelievable. My mother and father would be very proud.
“When people told me about the award I was flabbergasted.”
During his presentation ceremony, Mr Gardiner thanked family, friends and former-colleagues for coming along to support him, in particular his wife, Alma.
Mr Gardiner also spoke about his father, who inspired him to join the Labour Party when he was just 16-years-old.
Among those in attendance were council leader Dave Poole, current County Borough mayor Julian Simmonds and ex-Blackwood town mayor James Edwards.
In November 2016, concerned that a local special needs unit had lost its vehicle, Mr Gardiner set about starting a fund with his own money and invited friends and family to donate to the fund instead of giving Christmas Cards. By January 2017 the unit received £750.
Mr Gardiner previously worked as a caretaker at Blackwood Comprehensive School and lived in the school bungalow with his wife and their daughters – a period he described as “the happiest time of my life.”
He has been an active governor at a number of schools and has spoken at numerous assemblies and functions over the years, talking about a whole range of subjects including the Royal Mint and National Holocaust Memorial Day.
Cllr Walter Williams, who succeeded Mr Gardiner as councillor for the Argoed ward, said: “It’s well deserved. I’ve known Leon since I was about 15 or 16.
“He has always been a character and concerned about the community.”
Cllr Williams also spoke of how he looks up to Mr Gardiner as an inspiration.
He said: “I used to sit with Leon at surgeries and he gives me a lot of advice. He’s been a big help.”
Blackwood town councillor Edwards said: “Leon is a great example to the town and surrounding areas for the work he’s done in the past.
“He’s a good friend of mine. So many charities have benefited from the work he has done.”
Cllr Nigel Dix, who represents Blackwood, said: “I got to know Leon when we were councillors together. He’s very passionate about the community.
“We worked closely together and campaigned together to address antisocial behaviour in Blackwood.”
Cllr Dix added: “Leon was a very good councillor and a passionate historian.
“His charity work is second to none. He doesn’t just talk about charity, he puts money where his mouth is.
“To raise £18,000 in his year as mayor is a massive achievement.”
Mayor Simmonds said: “I have known Leon for 28 years and my father knew him before that. I have always looked up to him so it was a great honour to be a part of the ceremony.
“I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Leon on behalf of his extended family at Caerphilly County Borough Council and on behalf of the entire community.”