Policeman blinded by Raoul Moat pulls on his uniform for the first time since he was shot (From The Northern Echo)

Policeman blinded by Raoul Moat pulls on his uniform for the first time since he was shot

5:04pm Friday 10th September 2010 in

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A police officer blinded by Raoul Moat has worn his uniform for the first time since he was shot in the face.

PC David Rathband was blasted by Moat as he sat in his patrol car at a roundabout in Newcastle, during the gunmans week on the run from police.

Pc Rathband survived but was left blind and this week, over two months after the horrific shooting, picked up a role model award.

The 42-year-old pulled on his police uniform to attend the Pride of Northumberland Role Model award at the Northeast Press ceremony.

After receiving the award on Thursday, David said: "I have been more frightened in my life but never this nervous. The nicest feeling is standing here and receiving this but my admiration goes to the other two people nominated.

"This is the first time I have worn my uniform since I was shot and it is a pleasure to be in it here.

"I managed to get the mothballs out of the pockets. When I get back in to my normal dress I will be happy.

"I look forward to the day I walk back in to Etal Lane and finish off what I started on July 4.

"When I got shot I expected to go to hospital and unfortunately not to come out, I thought I was going to die.

"But I have had over 1,000 letters and I and my wife have tried to respond to all of them.

"All the support and messages still keep coming and it just builds my resolve every time I have them read to me. I am determined that he (Raoul Moat] will never enter my life again.

"He entered my life by circumstance and he will never be in my life by invitation."

He collected an engraved glass trophy and was guided onto stage by Penny Dane, his mobility advisor from Second Sight, a service for blind and vision impaired individuals, who nominated him.

The awards recognise the courage, bravery, determination and dedication of the county's unsung heroes.

PC Rathband was shot on July 4, the day after Moat, 37, shot his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killed her new partner Chris Brown in Gateshead.

The PC, who is married to Kath, 40 and has two children Ashley, 17, and Mia, 12, was sitting in the driver's seat when Moat approached him from the passenger side and blasted him twice in the face and chest with a shotgun.

Moat shot himself in Rothbury, Northumberland, after a seven-day manhunt.

Also nominated were Vic Lawton, from Whittingham, who demonstrated immense courage after losing her son Adam earlier this year and Janneil Elliot, of Alnwick, who defied the odds after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus to set up her own business and provide local employment in Amble.

Winning the Child of Courage award was Rebecca Johnson from Ashington who battled Hodgkin Lymphoma, had chemotherapy then raised money for charity.

She said: "It feels really brilliant to win this, I totally didn't expect it.

My heart goes out to the other two children."

Runners-up Lottie Lafferty from Rothbury and Matthew Phillips from Shilbottle were also seen as winners and were presented with goodie bags on stage.

Dale Cartie, from Blyth, who raised money for children in Sri Lanka, won the Child of Achievement award. He said he would continue to raise funds for children in developing countries and wants to do the job full-time in the future.

Eco-warriors the KEVI Gnomes who have been internationally recognised for their green-fingered ventures were the Green Champion winners.

Daniel Glass, who suffers from mild cerebral palsy, said: "It is great to get this. We did it because we want to make young people more aware and get them to help make the place better for the community and the world.

"We definitely want to continue doing it, hopefully this will drum up more support."

Belford's Bell View Resource Centre were the receivers of the Community Group award after judges thought their efforts to engage with the community were outstanding.

Picking up the award was Paul Harrison. He said: "It is lovely to have the recognition for the staff, volunteers and trustees. We engage with the whole area."

Mike Greener, of Spittal Improvement Trust, collected the Community Champion award for the work he has done to improve the village and enhance its community spirit.

He said: "I am the figurehead but this is also for all those people who are behind me. I'm not easy with being in the limelight, but getting this is fantastic."

Safer Community winners were Prior Park Residents Group. Bernadette McDonald said: "This is really good. It shows that what we do doesn't go unnoticed in the community. We have only been up and running for the last year and it is one big achievement."

Raising money to help a baby unit, while bringing up three children and running a full-time job were the reasons why judges chose Julie Butler as the winner of the Fund-Raiser of the Year award.

Julie, from Blyth, organised a special cycle ride in aid of the Special Baby Unit at Wansbeck Hospital after they helped her son Bailey, who was born two months premature, to survive.

Julie dedicated her award to her son and her friends and family.

Tumbler Sam Dronsfield, from Glanton, picked up the Sporting Achievement award after receiving three individual national awards and two team awards. Sam is hoping to be part of the British team in the future and gives up a lot of his social time to participate in the sport - which he was introduced to at first school.