PC Dave O'Grady awarded MBE in New Year's Honours
Local bobby Dave O'Grady has been recognised in the New Year's Honours list for his work in the community and his efforts on behalf of an orphanage in Rumania. As a well known face in Acton and north Chiswick, his award is likely to be a popular one.
A constable for 21 years, he has performed duty in a variety of front line policing roles and since 1994 has been a home beat officer. He played a key role in setting up the Volunteer Police Cadet Corps in Ealing in 1998 and thorough his leadership and determination has seen this local Volunteer Cadet Corps flourish to the extent that it is providing effective service to police and community alike.
Since 1999 he has played a major role in the Metropolitan Police Service sponsored Convoy 2000 Charity. Each year, as a team leader, he has co- ordinated the efforts of 80 volunteers towards the completion of a total rebuilding of an orphanage in Rumania. This has required many hours of co-ordination and planning being conducted in his own time and without detriment to his responsibilities to the community in Acton and north Chiswick.
Additionally he has personally raised over £50,000 since the inception of the project and furthermore has gone to great lengths to obtain equipment and other forms of aid direct from suppliers and other sources to the equivalent of £30,000 annually. Through his tireless efforts, leadership and determination he has inspired others to emulate his efforts in order that the project can reach a successful conclusion.
December 31, 2003