Hospice fundraiser, 92, 'surprised' to be honoured
BBCA fundraiser who tried out 90 new things before turning 90 for charity has been recognised in the King's New Year Honours.
Malcolm Metcalf, now 92, from Gorleston, Norfolk, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for voluntary services to his community.
The avid naturalist has raised about £35,000 over recent years, mostly for local hospices.
He was informed of the honour last month in a letter but was sworn to secrecy. He said: "I could not believe it."
"I only wish that my mother and father and my twin brother and sister were here to know it because they would have been so proud.
"I've enjoyed doing all these different things .. somebody's put this in for me and several people, I presume, it's been absolutely fantastic."
In 2016, one of his fundraising efforts included travelling around the country using his bus pass, raising £20,000.
Mr Metcalf decided to support hospices through travel after spending a year in hospital as a teenager, after contracting tuberculosis in his spine.
He said happiness was his driver.
"It makes me happy doing those things; I can't wait to go in there and give them the money," he said.
Other people in Norfolk awarded honours include:
- Andrew Jonathan Barnes, lately chair of governors, City College Norwich, is appointed MBE for services to further education
- Peter Campbell Barrow, co-founder of The Autumn Festival of Norfolk, is appointed MBE for charitable service to the community in Norfolk
- Victor Dade, Hunstanton Crew, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is appointed MBE for services to maritime safety
- Clive Leslie Gritten BEM JP, is appointed MBE for services to children, young people and the community in Norfolk
- Lucy Elizabeth Millicent McCarraher, founder, Business Book Awards, is appointed MBE for services to publishing and to diversity
- Wilbur Arthur Notley, fundraiser, Marie Curie Cancer Care, is appointed MBE for services to charity and the community in Norfolk
- Laura Jane Tipler (Laura Drysdale), founder, The Restoration Trust, is appointed MBE for services to heritage and mental health
- Clive Gary Evans is awarded a BEM for services to charity and to the community of Surlingham
- Michael George Sutton Garrod is awarded a BEM for services to the community in Garvestone
- Barry Coleman Leveton is awarded a BEM for services to the Jewish community in Norwich
- Maureen Ann Leveton is awarded a BEM for services to the Jewish community in Norwich
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