York Against Cancer and Restore charity founders made MBEs

Professor Stephen Leveson, one of the founders of York Against Cancer, was awarded by King Charles for his services to Cancer Patients in North Yorkshire.

Prof Leveson said the honour is “as much for the charity as it is for me – I’m very glad to accept it on their behalf”.

The retired consultant surgeon said he “wasn’t expecting” to receive an MBE, which had come as a “nice surprise”.

Prof Leveson who founded York Against Cancer in 1987 with John Craven and Colin Garner, and the charity now supports cancer patients in York, North and East Yorkshire.

More than £22 million has been raised by the independent charity to help local people affected by the disease.

York Against Cancer founder Stephen Leveson with his wife Pat at the opening of the charity’s Leveson Centre in Huntington (Image: York Against Cancer)

Prof Leveson said the charity was set up to fund research, improve cancer care and provide information about cancer.

“At the time York Against Cancer was set up, chemotherapy was in its infancy and there were no specialist nurses to assist with patient care,” he said.

Prof Leveson said he had not envisaged the charity having the impact it has had.

“It’s all come as a surprise, but a pleasant surprise,” he said. “Being able to raise those funds from a small town is amazing.”

He praised the generosity of people in York and praised those who have volunteered to the charity. 

Meanwhile, Barrie Stephenson, co-founder of the York homeless charity Restore charity, was made an MBE in the king’s birthday honours for services to people experiencing homelessness in York.

Mr Stephenson has been trustee and director of the charity for the past 15 years – many of those years as chair of the board.

Restore has helped more than 475 people out of homelessness, many of them moving on to a home of their own.

Homeless charity Restore co-founder Barrie Stephenson who has been made an MBE (Image: Restore)

Mr Stephenson said he was “deeply humbled” by the honour, adding: “It is not just for me, it’s for everyone who has made Restore the success it is today.

“Restore has exceeded all my expectations and it is down to the dedicated staff and trustees who have given so much to bring this about.

“I may be the only person who has been with the charity from its inception but I have worked with so many others who should share this honour, especially Ed Hambleton, our co-founder, who gave up a secure job to pioneer Restore with me.

“Without their sacrificial work Restore would not be the highly respected and valued service for the relief of homelessness in the city of York.”

People from across York and North Yorkshire awarded in honours

Elsewhere in the honours, Angela MacDonald, deputy chief executive officer and second permanent secretary at HM Revenue and Customs from York, was made a companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for her public service.

Kristian Barnfield-Guest, deputy director of business effectiveness at the Ministry of Justice from York, was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to diversity and inclusion.

Catherine Handcock, founder of Creative HEAD from York, was made an OBE for services to the hairdressing industry and to entrepreneurship.

Diane Margaret Heritage, chair of trustees at the New Collaborative Learning Trust from Selby, was made an OBE for services to education.

Susan Elizabeth Hunter, from York, was made an MBE for services to the community in York.

Angela Tattersall, county president of the North Yorkshire and Teesside St John Ambulance from York, was made an MBE for voluntary services to St John Ambulance.

Christopher Hailey-Norris, chief executive officer of Up For Yorkshire from York, was made an MBE for services to charity and to the community in Yorkshire.

Esther Louise Lagden, a programme manager at Network Rail from York, was made an MBE for services to rail safety.

Graeme Robertson, from York, was made an MBE for services to the community in York.