A humanitarian whose tireless work helping ship 33 million vaccines, and thousands of medical supplies to a country's devastated health system, has been recognised in the year's honours list.

Fergus Drake, whose family settled in Norwich when he was a child, has visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine with his not-for-profit international development organisation Crown Agents regularly since the war began.

Mr Drake has met with senior representatives of the Ministry of Health and visiting hospitals to assess levels of need and the country's emergency medical requirements due to the Russian invasion.

Norwich Evening News: Fergus Drake, centre, with the Crowns Agents Ukraine teamFergus Drake, centre, with the Crowns Agents Ukraine team (Image: Crown Agents)

And his work has not gone unnoticed with Mr Drake being honoured with Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Learning of his honour Mr Drake, CEO of Crown Agents said: "I am deeply humbled and grateful to be recognised in the 2023 New Year’s Honours List. 

"I would like to dedicate this award to the incredibly brave and inspirational Crown Agents team in Ukraine, London and around the world. 

"They have worked tirelessly since the outbreak of the war, often without electricity and running water, to bring life-saving drugs and medical equipment into the country. 

Norwich Evening News: Fergus Drake on BBC News talking about the work of Crown Agents from Kyiv, UkraineFergus Drake on BBC News talking about the work of Crown Agents from Kyiv, Ukraine (Image: Crown Agents)

"I would also like to thank our partners the Ukraine Ministry of Health, the Ukraine FCDO Team and all our donors for their generous support".

Mr Drake attended Thorpe St Andrew School from 1985 to 1992 - where Claude Scott, his former headteacher, worked.

Dr Scott said: "I saw something in this young man as he always showed a lot of potential, prescence, and drive.

Norwich Evening News: Fergus Drake with Tetiana Korotchenko (Crown Agents country director for Ukraine) with one of the medical trauma kits transported to UkraineFergus Drake with Tetiana Korotchenko (Crown Agents country director for Ukraine) with one of the medical trauma kits transported to Ukraine (Image: Crown Agents)

"It's been a joy to wacth him throughout his career.

"He's turned into a fine man and I'm delighted he's had his due reward for the challenging work he's done."

David Richardson, interim Crown Agents chairman of the board, added: "We are thrilled that Fergus has received this award which recognises his leadership of the Crown Agents' emergency Ukraine response. 

"His support of the Ukrainian government and people, in the face of Russian values of courage and integrity."