An airman who helps the families of service personnel based at RAF Northolt has received his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

Senior Aircraftsman Adam Bruerton collecting his gong from Prince Charles on February 26.

He has been working with young people at the military base, in Ruislip, since 2009 and takes a leading role in its Airplay youth programmes.

This is a youth support programme run by the RAF for the families of service personnel, and helps provide a range of activities for young people living on and around stations.

SAC Bruerton: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised with the MBE. There are some real challenges for children in military families, such as frequent moves and long deployments, and it’s wonderful to be a part of a programme like Airplay that helps children flourish.”

Apart from volunteering for Airplay, he is the Community Development Fund treasurer and a local primary school governor, and brought his creative talents to bear in creating a First World War trench to teach Ruislip High School students about the war – a project featured on BBC national news.

RAF Northolt Community Development Officer Edlynn Zakers said: “From the outset, Adam was an absolute star and a complete natural at youth work. He is our resident creative genius – he can take a concept and make something amazing out of absolutely nothing. We’re thrilled that his contributions are being recognised with the MBE.”

SAC Bruerton was named an MBE on this year’s New Year Honours List.

Earlier this week, Prince Charles’ father, the Duke of Edinburgh, paid a visit to RAF Northolt to present 32 (The Royal) Squadron with a new standard.

Airplay is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s youth support programme for the Royal Air Force, operating on all main RAF bases across the UK.