Archie was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to cancer research fundraising in County Down. Archie has chaired the Newcastle and Mourne local fundraising committee since 2009 and during that time the group have raised several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
“It was a total surprise to find out I was being awarded. When they needed to submit the information to the committee, my niece came round and she played me like a fiddle to get all the info. We laughed saying she could work for MI5 because she just sat so casually asking questions. I had no indication whatsoever. My diabetic eye test comes in the same colour envelope as the one that arrived from the cabinet office, so at first, I thought they were rescheduling my appointment again! I ripped the envelope open, and there it was, the cabinet office postcard!
“The overriding thing for me is friendship, it really is the friendships - that has been the absolute highlight of my time with Cancer Research UK. All the people on the committee are extremely nice people, it’s an absolute joy and honour to be with them.”
Archie’s wife, Joan, also gave so much of her time to Cancer Research UK. Joan sadly died in 2023.
“There’s no question about it, this is very bittersweet. Joan was involved with the committee since 1990. She never wanted to take a proper role on the committee but was always busy in the background. She was the most amazing person. She always had a smile, always had a twinkle. That’s how everyone remembers her, as so helpful, and so friendly. Joanie would have been absolutely tickled pink by this.”