BUSINESSMAN John Stevenson has been recognised for his support for cancer charities with an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

John, 51, from Alderley Edge, has been the driving force for the past seven years behind Man@Manchester, a comedy lunch which has raised £750,000 for the Beechwood Cancer Care charity.

John is chairman of the trustees for the charity, and also provides auction and raffle prizes for an annual Butterfly Ball which has helped the charity raise £500,000 in eight years.

Beechwood Cancer Care Centre at Stockport offers support, including counselling, to those living with cancer and other life-limiting illness, as well as their relatives and carers, and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020.

John’s fundraising efforts have helped raised more than £1 million for the centre, and he said he was stunned when he received an email a month ago about the New Year honour.

“I saw the email one evening when I was working, and initially thought it was a wind-up,” said John, who is managing director of Manchester-based Pareto Financial Planning in Manchester.

“I read the email three or four times and then Googled the name of the person who sent it to me to make sure she did exist.

“I am humbled by the honour, and my aim is just to try to get everyone together to put their hands in their pockets for a worthwhile charity.”

John understands the importance of emotional support after his mum Gwyneth died from a brain haemorrhage when he was five, and his stepmother Barbara died from cancer when he was in his 20s.

He said: “I saw the impact my mum’s death had on my life and my family, so when I heard about Beechwood I thought I would help them raise money. My aim was to use my contacts in the business world in the north west to raise money for the charity.

“The support the charity provides is invaluable for families whose lives have been torn apart, and I see my involvement with Beechwood as a way of giving something back. It is very fulfilling, and I will be involved in the charity long-term.

“Seven years ago I came up with the idea of a dinner which we have on the last Friday of every November, man@manchester.”

The comedy lunch raised £130,000 last year, has been supported by John Bishop, Jason Manford and magician Dynamo, and even though it could not be held this year because of coronavirus restrictions £30,000 was raised by people buying tables.

John also supports The Christie and other charities.