A BUS driver has been presented with a national award in recognition of his charity work. Stevenage resident Alwyn Utteridge has been a bus driver at the Arriva depot in Ware for nearly 40 years. During the last four years he has raised about �15,000 for

A BUS driver has been presented with a national award in recognition of his charity work.

Stevenage resident Alwyn Utteridge has been a bus driver at the Arriva depot in Ware for nearly 40 years.

During the last four years he has raised about �15,000 for the Rooprai Spinal Trust - a charity which supports people with spinal cord injuries. The charity was created after his own daughter-in-law, Marrianne Rooprai, was paralysed from the shoulders down in a car accident in 2004, aged 27.

Mr Utteridge has raised funds for the charity through organising race nights and car boot sales, selling Christmas cards, and drumming up support from local businesses.

In recognition of his efforts he has been awarded a Gold Arriva Community Action Award by the bus company, and he is one of more than 30 employees across the UK to receive an award. Mr Utteridge received a certificate, a Christmas hamper, and �1,000 to donate to the Rooprai Spinal Trust.

He said: "We appreciate the award from Arriva, especially as we are a small charity, and this contribution will make a vast amount of difference in the work we do."

Linsey Frostick, customer service manager at Arriva, said: "Our awards scheme recognises the contribution our employees make to their local community in their own time, outside of work.

"We have lots of employees who find the time and energy to support local initiatives and charities so it is great to be able to officially recognise their efforts and provide them with some practical, financial support.