A LOCAL man has been listed on the New Years Honours List 2024 for "services to Young People and to Sport."

Rob Collins is the founder of the Pass It On Young Sports Voluntary Youth Organisation. He has been awarded with a British Empire Medal for his tireless work and achievements.

The not-for-profit organisation aims to encourage young people and their families to get outside and take part in countryside sports.

Not only this, but the organisation also aims to promote conservation and education of our ecosystems.

The Honours system recognises individuals who have made outstanding achievements in public life and who have helped the UK.

Rob, a "local boy" from Nailsea, said that he has always had an "allure to mother nature" and that he believes spending time outdoors is crucial, a message he wished to impart on his own children.

As a hands-on father, Rob, who is also a Nailsea Town Councillor, said that he always encouraged his children to take part in activities to give them a sense of purpose and keep them out of trouble.

For him, teaching the next generation to keep away from drugs is especially important.

Rob told the North Somerset Times: "Drugs are prevalent everywhere.

"If you don't teach children the right way, someone will teach them the wrong way.

"It's my passion for helping the kids that drives me."

When Rob received a call to say he was on the list, he was shocked and even asked "are you sure you've got the right bloke?"

The organisation regularly runs taster days and sessions to give people a chance to try out a range of outdoor sports.

The Pass It On Young Sports Voluntary Youth Organisation website reads: "As always our taster days are tailored with an individual theme taking the lead weather its fishing shooting or bush craft etc. With all the other Field Sports and conservation disciplines falling in line behind it to make each of our momentous tasters days a roaring success.

"What you can expect to see as a standard at our taster days are Shooting (air rifle air pistol and clay pigeon shooting) Fishing both course and fly, Bush Craft, Ferrets and traditional ferreting demos and net making, Birds of Prey, Archery and catapults, Stick making and hedge laying and oh so much more as they get added to each event."

Rob is also chair of the Somerset Branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity whose aim is to bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with special needs.