A MALVERN Falklands War hero turned community champion has been rewarded for his bravery and kind heart with an MBE. 

Kevin Ebsworth, who served with the Royal Navy during the 1982 conflict, was commended for service to Armed Forces veterans and charity in Herefordshire as part of King Charles III's birthday honours list. 

The 68-year-old, who lives just off Halfkey Road, said he was 'completely surprised' when he found out he had won the MBE.

He added: "It was a real honour to be nominated, as people may well know you aren't told if someone has put you forward for these things, so to actually be selected was a real shock. 

"As everyone is when they receive this news, I am immensely proud and so are my family."

Mr Ebsworth was born in Lewisham in 1956 before moving to Malvern in 2000.

He served in the Royal Navy for 23 years until 1996, finally leaving as a chief petty officer.

In 1982, Mr Ebsworth was part of the original conflict contingent on HMS Hydra which operated as a hospital ship ferrying casualties from the Falklands to Montevideo in Uruguay.

In 2010, Mr Ebsworth became the treasurer of the Herefordshire Branch of the Armed Forces Charity, the SSAFA. 

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Mr Ebsworth also organised various fund-raising events for the charity, including four concerts in Hereford Cathedral, and Armed Forces Day events across the county. 

Across 2017 and 2018, he led the installation of ceramic poppies in the Hereford Cathedral window, producing the so-called 'weeping window'. 

The 'weeping window' contained poppies originally from the central national display at the Tower of London.

Mr Ebsworth has also spent many years as the voluntary treasurer of Hope Scott House, a night shelter in Herefordshire.

His work there as part of Project Brave aims to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Herefordshire.

In response to the skyrocketing number of service users, Mr Ebsworth played an integral role in a recent revamp of a wing at Hope Scott House. 

Mr Ebsworth managed the refurbishment as it looked to modernise and expand the accommodation to incorporate modern en suite rooms. 

He was praised for his work by those selecting the King's honours recipients for contributing to a project which has made a significant difference in the lives of a particularly vulnerable group.

Roles he has previously held include being the former treasurer of Herefordshire Samaritans, stepping down when he reached the tenure limit for the post.