THE chair of trustees at a charity that makes wigs for children with cancer has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Tim Wheeler, 58, joined The Little Princess Trust during his headship at Hereford Cathedral Junior School and has been recognised for his services to charity and education.

The charity provides free, real hair wigs to children and young people experiencing hair loss as a result of cancer treatment or other conditions, and also funds pioneering research into childhood cancers.

Mr Wheeler, who is now head at Stockport Grammar School goes above and beyond his boardroom duties. To date, he's run 10 marathons, often wearing eye-catching costumes to promote the trust.

He said: "The letter informing me that I was to be awarded an MBE came as an enormous surprise and I am still coming to terms with the news. It is both a great honour and a very humbling experience to think that other people consider your contribution to the world to be worthy of recognition.

"It has been a privilege to be able to contribute to the work of such an amazing charity, which not only impacts directly on the lives of children now but is also rapidly developing its research programme in an attempt to find kinder treatments for the future.

"None of this would be possible without the fantastic support which we receive from all those whose efforts raise funds for the charity and I am pleased to be able to play my part by turning out as 'Scissorman'! I am very much looking forward to all that the future holds for The Little Princess Trust."

The Little Princess Trust's CEO said the charity are delighted he's been awarded an MBE - the third highest-ranking Order of the British Empire award.

Phil Brace said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Tim's incredible work in the charity and education sectors has been recognised in the form of an MBE.

"Tim is a huge asset to The Little Princess Trust, we are so grateful for his energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. We're particularly looking forward to his appearance at the Cardiff Half Marathon this October in what promises to be his best costume to date!

"We would like to congratulate Tim on this wonderful accolade."

The birthday honours list, released annually since the mid-19th century, recognises the achievements of extraordinary people from the UK and across the Commonwealth.

The 2019 list also includes Oscar-winning actress Olivia Coleman, rock star Feargal Sharkey and Bear Grylls.