A Kidwelly businessman has been honoured with a British Empire Medal for his charity, sport and education work.
David Gravell, of Gravell’s Car Dealership, was presented with the award by HM Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Sara Edwards at a ceremony in Parc Myrddin, Carmarthen.
Mr Gravell is a firm supporter of Llandovery College and has served as a trustee for many years.
He has sponsored a young person from Patagonia from the age of 16 to university entry and has helped fund a cultural centre in Esquel which was opened in 2002.
And has since provided the centre with a huge screen and projector so that people of Welsh origin are able to view TV recorded in Wales on S4C.
In 2012 he helped to fund a flat occupied by a young field worker from North Wales who would be spending another year in Esquel concentrating on youth work.
Mr Gravell is also the founder member of Cefn Sidan Rotary Club in 1971 and has since been awarded Rotary Citation in 2004 for raising £200,000 and further awarded with the Rotary’s Highest Award, the Paul Harris Triple Sapphire Award.
He organised an evening that raised £10,000 for Mencap.
He also supports Diabetes UK in memory of his late cousin Ray Gravell and donates to Kidwelly Town Bowling Club every year.
A Past President of Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir and President of Dyffryn Tywi Male Voice Choir, he regularly provides vans to take food and essentials to poor or stricken countries
Mr Gravell is one of the major sponsors of the Scarlets RFC and Kidwelly RFC for more than 30 years and sponsors countless events (including rugby tournaments), regularly providing major prizes for auctions and raffles.
He was instrumental in setting up Kidwelly Trade and Tourism Association by organising various fundraising events.
Gravell’s Car Dealership was set up by Mr Gravell’s late father Tom.
Today, the business has passed into the hands of his sons, Ian and Jonathan, with Mr Gravell remaining as chairman.
The BEM is given for meritorious service worthy of recognition by the Crown.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s civil registration service organises award ceremonies along with its other duties which include births, deaths and marriages.
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