Mr Johnson, 68, chairman of JW Wood surveyors and estate agents will attend Buckingham Palace later this year to receive the MBE which has been awarded for his continuing charity work.

Keith has been the Chairman of the Durham Barnardo’s fund raising committee for the last 22 years, which has raised over £300,000 with its annual dinner.  Keith is a keen supporter of St. Cuthbert’s Hospice.

Since 1997, he has been a Trustee Of Durham Family Welfare Adoption Agency helping to find homes for children throughout the North East.  He has been an active member of the Rotary Club for the last 35 years - for the last 15 years he has organised the annual Golf competition at Durham City Golf Club for Durham Bede Rotary in aid of local charities.

Keith is a Trustee of the St Mary’s College Trust and was on the fund raising committee for ‘The Journey’, bringing St Cuthbert to Durham and is currently on display in Millennium square .

Further afield, Keith is a Trustee of the Kwagala Trust which supports orphaned and abandoned children in Uganda. Organising with the support of many generous friends and Elvet Methodist Church, the Trust acquired land, built a home for the children on the outskirts of Kampala and continue to offer ongoing support.

Keith joined JW Wood in1972 and in the last 43 years has practiced in and around Durham. He lives in Durham City and is married with two children and two grandchildren.

Keith comments that ‘I have enjoyed the support of my colleagues at JW Wood, my friends, family and many businesses’ in and around Durham to enable me to pursue my aims. I aim to continue in the future and as a matter of note the next Barnardo’s dinner will be held at the Ramside hotel on October 2nd.'  Any company wanting to book a table should contact any JW Wood office.