10:58am Monday 12th May 2008
By Carol Emmas
AN OXTON man has received an OBE from the Queen for his services to international mine clearance.
Lou McGrath 55, was awarded his commendation at Buckingham Palace on May 7.
He has been executive director for the international humanitarian organisation Mines Advisory Group MAG since 1997, but has been involved in the clearance of landmines and ordnance since 1989.
He has played a key role in the development of landmine clearance techniques which MAG has implemented in more than 35 countries since its foundation in 1989, and has overseen the growth of the organisation into one of the world's leading agencies providing mine clearance, ammunition disposal, destruction and safe stockpiling of abandoned and ignored weapon caches.
MAG also is renowned for working in close co-operation with local communities and provides education, training and employment for members of affected communities.
Lou said: "I am really proud to receive this honour and want to accept it on behalf of everyone at MAG.
"Our staff carry out difficult and dangerous work and their efforts have given more opportunities for people to live without the threats and restrictions posed by landmines.
"The most important thing in this life is the people who come after us. If we're prepared to leave a legacy like landmines the next generations will wonder why we didn't do anything."
MAG currently works in 13 countries, with Lebanon, Iraq, Dominican Republic, Congo, Cambodia and Sudan as its biggest projects and employs 108 international and over 2,8000 national staff members in the field.
Based in Manchester, it is the only international operating charity with its headquarters in the north west.
Previous to his work for MAG, Lou served in the British Army. He lives in Oxton with his wife and their two sons.
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