A POSTMAN and lifelong Chester FC fan is celebrating after being made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Dave Skingsley, of Blacon, has been recognised for his contribution to Royal Mail and years of charity work.
The honour tops off a memorable few months for the devoted Blues fan, who saw his team promoted in April.
He said: “It’s certainly been a good year so far. To be honest with you, it hasn’t sunk in yet. But obviously I’m honoured.”
Dave, who has lived in Chester since birth, received a letter informing him of the MBE five weeks ago and struggled to keep the news a secret until the official announcement on Saturday.
“I told my wife and mum and dad and they’ve had to put up with me being on pins. It has been a total nightmare. You just want to tell people.”
Dave has worked for Royal Mail since 1985 and is currently a Trade Union officer at Chester Mail Centre on Jupiter Drive.
He said: “To be given an award for what I see as part of my job - it’s a massive honour.”
Last year, Dave received the North West fundraising trophy at the First Class People Awards 2010 in London, presented by Christine Bleakley.
He said: “I got involved with Claire House a number of years ago. I started off dressing up as Elvis and going around singing.”
He later began to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) after a colleague’s daughter died from cardiac problems.
He has since raised £15,000 for the charities from sponsored karaoke and Elvis impersonations and also fundraises for Blacon Youth FC.
He added: “I know I’ve got the award, but it’s for everyone. It’s for the staff that work for all the charities.”
Dave is married to Nicci and is father to Blacon High School pupil Katie, 16, and Deeside College student Ben, 18, who also works for Royal Mail.
