THE unstinting work for disabled sport done by dedicated volunteer Judith Russell, of Church Fenton, has been recognised with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Judith, who runs disability services at Leeds University, has been involved in disabled sport for 20 years in a variety of roles, and her efforts are now to be rewarded.

"It was a bit of a shock but I'm delighted to get this award," she told the Evening Press.

"I'm very pleased because part of the award is a recognition that disabled sport is now much more part of mainstream sport.

"My getting an MBE is a recognition of disabled sport's coming of age, in that it is now being seen as sport rather than something therapeutic."

Since 1981, Judith, 52, has been chair of the UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disabilities, and was instrumental in establishing the counterpart English Sports Association, of which she was the first chair.

She has also been chair of the Federation of Disability Sports Organisations of Yorkshire and Humberside since it was set up in 1992 and was awarded life-presidency. That association was the first of its kind in the country and the forerunner to the national federated structure.

Ironically enough, she admitted she was no longer an active sportswoman herself, but added: "Although I don't take part in sport myself I recognise the enormous value for all people, disabled and otherwise."

Updated: 11:07 Saturday, June 16, 2001