NEIL DAVIES, aged 32, of Cornbrook Road, Bettws, Newport, is dedicating his life to working for others, raising more than £100,000 for various charities over the last 20 years.

Mr Davies' favourite charity is Children in Need, for which he has raised around £30,000.

He has also raised around £13,000 for the Millbrook Community Centre in Bettws, which he helped run with his parents Ian, 58, and Jean, 59, nearly all his life.

Mr Davies continues to work hard for good causes despite being wheelchair-bound for almost two years after developing problems with his legs.

He said: "This is brilliant, I'm absolutely shocked. "I have done charity work for all my life and never thought I would get a reward for it. I'm chuffed to beans."

Mr Davies will now be presented with a trophy and a £500 cheque for the charity of his choice by SWALEC. He has decided to donate the cash to the Mayor of Newport's Charity Appeal.

This year the mayor, Councillor Ken Critchley, has chosen the Samaritans as his charity.

Councillor Critchley said: "This is fantastic news and I am really pleased for Neil, who has already raised a significant amount of money for the Samaritans.

"I also believe this award is recognition not just of Neil but his whole family, who I know are all committed to raising funds for charity."

South Wales Argus editor Gerry Keighley chose Mr Davies as the winner of the SWALEC-sponsored Charity Champions campaign.

We had dozens of nominations for the campaign, out of which we picked thirteen finalists whose touching stories were featured in the Argus.

SWALEC operations manager Roger Pettit said: "I am delighted that Mr Davies is our Charity Champion. He is well overdue some recognition for the many years that he has dedicated to fundraising. He has raised a considerable amount of money and is an example to us all.

"I look forward to meeting Mr Davies and presenting him with his award."