A POLICE officer from Havering who has helped raise more than £350,000 to find a cure for terminally ill children has been appointed MBE by the Queen.
PC Mark Edwards, who works as a beat officer, started Jack's PACK (Police Against Cancer in Kids) in 2008 after being moved by the plight of Jack Brown, the son of two serving officers, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare form of cancer.
Jack sadly died but the charity named after him has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help children suffering from cancer to travel to New York for treatment.
From the moment he heard about Jack's condition, PC Edwards began to raise funds by running marathons in New York and doing a series of challenges.
This year he has raised more than £40,000 for the charity already.
PC Edwards received his medal at Buckingham Palace on November 21.
Among others to receive honours that day was Take That star and X Factor judge Gary Barlow.
Havering-based PC Edwards, who has been with the Met for 26 years and recently returned from the Torch Relay as a member of the Olympic Torch security team, said: "When my wife told me I'd got an MBE I nearly fell off my chair.
"I am really humbled and stunned by this.
"This award is for the whole team who has helped raise the money – not just me.
"It really is fantastic, I am honoured and don't feel I deserve it."
Borough commander Mike Smith added: "Mark is greatly admired, respected and an inspiration to everyone.
"He has devoted his time to raising awareness and funds for treatment and research into incurable childhood cancer.
"He is quite simply the benchmark for all of us who aspire to help others beat this destructive disease.
"He is the most selfless, humble and organised man.
"He will keep going because there are other children suffering and he wants to help them get better."
