THE Queen's Birthday Honours List recognises the extraordinary efforts made by individuals across the UK - and four Tynedale recipients head up the list.

81-year-old Harry Mole has been made an MBE for services to the community in Hexham.

Serving in Slaley, he also became involved in various community services as an elective member of the local agricultural show, village hall committee and the local football team.

He and wife Margaret, whose son has successfully been through cancer treatment, joined a small group of parents who founded the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund (NECCR) which over the past 35 years, has raised over £20m to establish Newcastle University as one of the leading centres in Europe for research into childhood cancer.

The annual Children’s Cancer Run, Gosforth Park, has been one of the mainstays of fundraising for over 30 years and annually, raises more than £250,000 and and attracts 10,000 people and their supporters.

Mr Mole is also a judge for numerous flower/vegetable shows and has for many years, been a hard working committee member of the Northumberland County Show of which he was once president.

Despite being retired from the police service, his desire to serve the community still continues and is evident in all the additional groups and committees he takes part in.

Former deputy mayor of Hexham Steve Ball has also been made an MBE for services to rugby league charities.

In 2019, Mr Ball was added to the Rugby Football League’s (RFL) elite roll of honour in recognition of his outstanding service - helping rugby players and their families cope with life-changing circumstances.

Josephine Sanderson MBE, finance and business support manager for Forestry England, has also been recognised for services to forestry, while Charles Braithwaite has been given an OBE for political service in the North-East of England.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The Queen’s Birthday Honours allow us to pay tribute to all those who have gone above and beyond in their service to this country.

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen countless examples of every day heroes. From those using their expertise to help develop life-saving vaccines, which are now being rolled out successfully to all parts of the UK, to the people who have given time and energy to care for their communities.

“We should take heart from the stories of those receiving honours today and be inspired by their courage and kindness. May they be a reminder of all that we can achieve when we come together as a society.”