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Cancer Research UK celebrates New Year Honourees 2024

Jacob Smith
by Jacob Smith | News

5 January 2024

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The chair of the board of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, one of our Cancer Awareness Nurse Trainers, and two long-standing supporters are among those on the 2024 New Year Honours list. 

Sir John Iredale, professor of medical science, was awarded a knighthood for services to medical research.  

As a clinical scientist, Sir John was a leading figure in inflammation research for over 20 years. Now chair of the board at our Scotland Institute, he has previously been a board member at the Francis Crick Institute and president of the Medical Research Foundation. 

“I am surprised and humbled by this extraordinary honour,” Sir John said. “I have had the good fortune to work in great UK universities, our NHS and had the opportunity to contribute to both the MRC and charitable sectors.  

“It has been hugely rewarding and exciting, but in all of these organisations, it has been my privilege to work with the most extraordinary teams and this award also recognises and reflects their outstanding work. Science is a team sport.” 

Archie, chair of the local fundraising committee in Newcastle and Mourne, with his wife
Archie with his wife

Spotlight on our supporters

Also on the list are two long-standing supporters of Cancer Research UK, Archie Bingham and John MacKintosh, both of whom have been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM). 

In Northern Ireland, Archie Bingham is the chair of the Newcastle and Mourne local fundraising committee.

He’s chaired the committee since 2009 and the group have raised several hundreds of thousands of pounds for us in that time. He’s been awarded a BEM for services to cancer research fundraising in County Down. 

John in the CRUK Elgin shop
John in our Elgin shop. Credit: Beth Taylor from the Northern Scot

John has been volunteering at our shop in Elgin for 26 years, where he helps out doing at least three shifts every week. He’s also raised £180,000 for charity doing car boot sales, the proceeds of which went to Cancer Research UK and Girlguiding UK.

A retired distillery worker, John is in remission after receiving radiotherapy treatment for testicular cancer in 1996. 

He’s been awarded his BEM for voluntary services to cancer patients and to the community of Elgin. 

“Getting a British Empire Medal is a huge honour,” John said. 

“I just couldn’t believe it when I was first told. The news is still sinking in and I’m receiving lots of lovely messages from well-wishers.  

“None of this would have been possible without the help and support of the public, people generously bringing items to me to sell at car boot sales and customers supporting our Cancer Research UK shop. This honour is a tribute and a thank you to them all.  

“It’s a great feeling to know people care about you.” 

We want to say a huge thank you to Archie and John for their dedicated support. 

Recognition for research

Other honourees include Professor Gavin Halbert, radiographer Charlotte Beardmore and Mary Woods. 

Professor Halbert, director of our Formulation Unit at the University of Strathclyde, was awarded an OBE for services to cancer treatment and research. Charlotte, a former member of the National Cancer Advisory Group, received a CBE. 

Formerly a nurse consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Mary is a cancer awareness nurse trainer in our Talk Cancer team. Her extensive clinical, national and international work within the field of lymphoedema led to her recommendation for an MBE. 

And those listed here are just a few of this year’s recipients being honoured for their work related to cancer. 

We extend our sincere congratulations to all the honourees. 

Together, we are beating cancer. 

 

    Comments

  • Peter Tomlinson DL
    25 January 2024

    Just to let you know that the Wyre Forest CRUK Committee, which I have chaired for many a long year is a mere £10,000 short of our first million pounds. We hope to achieve that milestone within the next few months.

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    Comments

  • Peter Tomlinson DL
    25 January 2024

    Just to let you know that the Wyre Forest CRUK Committee, which I have chaired for many a long year is a mere £10,000 short of our first million pounds. We hope to achieve that milestone within the next few months.