John Jenkins. SportsAble president, receives MBE from The Queen at Windsor Castle

Mr Jenkins was named as one of the recipients of an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list earlier this year and visited Windsor Castle on Friday morning for his investiture ceremony.

He said: “It was a fantastic moment, I am so very proud.

“Her Majesty spoke to me and we exchanged words about sports development.”

The MBE was given to Mr Jenkins, who represented Great Britain in table tennis in the 1984 Paralympics, for services to disability sport.

Mr Jenkins’ wife Janine added: “I am really proud of him, he deserves it.

“I think he shed a little tear and I shed a little tear, it was really touching.

“It’s amazing that one person can do that and motivate others so much.”

After the ceremony, Mr Jenkins was taken to SportsAble’s Braywick Road, Maidenhead, base in the afternoon where he was welcomed by friends, family and special guest Maidenhead MP Theresa May for a party.

Mr Jenkins said: “I think it’s a tremendous occasion, my friends and family have come from all over to celebrate with me.”

Former mayor, Cllr Colin Rayner was also at the party. He added: “I have known John for a number of years, we think he does fantastic work for the Royal Borough.

“He inspires me and many of our youth and I am proud to call him my friend.

“I am so pleased for him.”

Mr Jenkins was involved in the creation of SportsAble in 1975 and has enjoyed a long history with the club previously known as WAMSTAD which is now looking to expand to become the disability sports hub for the south of the country.

He added: “I am amazingly proud to represent SportsAble, its a fantastic club and I have grown up with it and seen it grow up from nothing. 40 years ago there was nothing and I have helped it to grow.

“So many people have gone from nothing to representing their country and so many more have got into sports for fun.

“It’s just as much a SportsAble MBE as a John MBE. Without that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get the honour.”