Dalglish honoured for cancer care

Marina Dalglish thanked everyone who had helped with her charity fundraising

Marina Dalglish, wife of footballing legend Kenny, has been appointed MBE in the New Year Honours list.

The couple set up the Marina Dalglish Appeal in 2004 to raise money for breast cancer funding, after she was diagnosed with the disease.

Together they opened a new chemotherapy centre at University Hospital Aintree last June.

Also honoured is bus driver Robert Fletcher, who was appointed MBE for services to Liverpool public transport.

The 63-year-old, from Walton, has worked on the buses for 46 years.

During that time he has worked on city bus routes and driven physically and mental disadvantaged children to school.

Merseyside Police Constable Anita Ashcroft has been awarded the Queens Police Medal.

Based in St Helens, she has worked for the force for more than 30 years.

'Delightful surprise'

Marina Dalglish, 55, was diagnosed with the illness five years ago but beat it and launched a charity to fund a chemotherapy centre at Liverpool's Aintree University Hospital.

The mother-of-four said the award was a delightful surprise.

"It's amazing how something bad can turn into something good. Who'd ever have thought that having cancer would lead to the opening of a new unit?

"I'm absolutely delighted, but this honour is not just for me, though the charity's in my name, this MBE is for everyone who's helped over the past four years."

The fundraising is set to continue with Mrs Dalglish spearheading a campaign to raise �5m to build a radiotherapy unit at another Merseyside hospital.

James Birrell, chief executive of Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Everyone at the Trust is absolutely delighted for Marina, who thoroughly deserves this honour. She worked tirelessly to lead the fundraising campaign for the centre."

Also honoured in the list are cyclist Edward Clancy, from Newton-le-Willows, who was appointed MBE and Finlay McMillan Scott, the chief executive of the General Medical Council, from Liverpool, who was appointed CBE.