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Sylvia Wright, who sold all her possessions in 1982 to fund her humanitarian work, has established a hospital, a school for deaf children and centres for the disabled in Tamil Nadu, one of the poorest states in India.

The Queen awarded Miss Wright an OBE in the New Year 2007 honours list for her work with deaf children. Sylvia, 70 this year, made the long journey to her homeland for her investiture on Thursday 3 July 2008, before returning to India to carry on her work.

Tony Allinson, Chairman of the Leeds-based Sylvia Wright Trust, which gives financial support to the hospital and the school, paid tribute to Sylvia's tireless devotion to helping others; "Sylvia's dedication has been an inspiration to everybody both in the UK and India; she has shown over the last 26 years what it is possible to achieve from small beginnings."

"She started with a mobile clinic visiting local villages and she now runs a 200-bed hospital, opened in 2002, which treats 8,000 inpatients and 70,000 outpatients each year. There are now 240 pupils in the school for profoundly deaf children, which she built in 1996. The 32 teachers have helped the children achieve excellent exam results. The whole operation is non-denominational and open to all the local people."

The work is supported by people throughout the world through the Trust. Approximately 96% of the funds raised go directly to India. Although there is no welfare state, the Indian government provides some funds and those who can afford it contribute to the costs of their health care. Family incomes average less than £1 per day and there are acute problems of deafness among children in the area. Ninety children are being sponsored individually.

On hearing of her award, Sylvia commented: "“Our work is very demanding, with many difficulties, but many rewards. The more work we do, the more needs are uncovered, but definite improvements are seen in both the living conditions and health of the people we serve. I am looking forward to going to Buckingham Palace before returning to my work in Tamil Nadu."

Anybody who is interested in sponsoring a child at the school for the deaf is invited to contact the SWT Sponsorship Organiser on 0113 2677660.