Former international Steve Prescott has admitted it was a "tremendous surprise" to be told he had been awarded an MBE.
Former international honoured for his fund-raising efforts
Former rugby league international Steve Prescott has admitted it was a "tremendous surprise" to be told he had been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
Despite battling a rare form of stomach cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, the 36-year-old has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity through the Steve Prescott Foundation.
The former St Helens, Hull and Wakefield full-back was diagnosed with the cancer in September 2006 and although he was told he only had months to live, he had defied the odds and gone on to raise money for The Christie Cancer Hospital and the Rugby Football League's benevolent fund, which helps sick and injured players.
Among his fund-raising exploits Prescott walked 200 miles, taking in the Super League clubs within the M62 corridor, while he led a team of former players on a 900-mile bike ride from Perpignan to London, followed by a 24-mile row up the Thames in a dragon boat and then a half-marathon to deliver the match ball to Wembley in time for the 2009 Challenge Cup final.
Surprise
And Prescott, who is still undergoing intense chemotherapy, claims the honour came out of the blue.
"This is a tremendous surprise and, although I am not doing the charity work for awards, this is one which I will accept with open arms," said Prescott.
"The award is not just for me, but also for my family, friends and all the special people who have been involved with the Steve Prescott Foundation.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank, not only the people close to me, but also everybody who has helped me along the way - no matter how big or small.
"Without their help and combined efforts I would not be able to achieve such a high accolade. This is something I never imagined would happen."
