AN AMBASSADOR for the deaf community is a step closer to picking up a national award in recognition of his volunteering work.

Roger Hewitt, of Burnt Ash Lane, Bromley, is one of 10 regional finalists in the Sound Barrier Star Awards competition, which commends individuals for their achievements despite being hard-of-hearing or deaf.

Father-of-two Mr Hewitt was left profoundly deaf after he developed meningitis at the age of six but has gone on to play a variety of key roles in helping people suffering from deafness or hard-of-hearing.

The 63-year-old volunteers for charity Deaf Access in South Street, Bromley and is employed by the UK Council on Deafness.

He is also a trustee and advocate with West Sussex-based Action for Deafness and a consultant with SignHealth and St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton.

Mr Hewitt said: “I am delighted to have been chosen as a regional finalist for the awards, however, I didn’t realise I had even been nominated.

“I would like to go on and win the awards on behalf of the deaf community and promote all the fantastic work deaf organisations do, which often goes unrecognised.”

Deaf Access director Susan Craney, who nominated Mr Hewitt for the awards, said: “Roger Hewitt has worked hard for many years for so many different individuals and charities without the recognition he so richly deserves.”

The competition, run by Specsavers hearing centres and charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, has its grand final event in London on September 22.