Mum hopes late daughter would be proud of MBE

A woman who has helped tens of thousands of children after the death of her own daughter from cancer has been appointed an MBE.

Wendy Tarplee-Morris set up the Little Princess Trust in Hereford, which makes wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment.

It was set up in memory of her daughter Hannah, who died in in 2005, and now provides about 2,000 wigs every year to young people and donates millions of pounds to childhood cancer research.

Ms Tarplee-Morris said she was "proud" of her achievement and the number of young people that had been supported thanks to Hannah.

In the charity's first year, 36 real-hair wigs were bought commercially and provided to children.

But by 2021, workers had provided 12,000 free wigs and given more than £15m to research efforts.

It is now the largest wig charity in the world and has received hair donations from 125 different countries.

"I would hope she would be very proud of what has been achieved in her memory," Ms Tarplee-Morris said when asked what her daughter would think of her MBE.

"A huge amount of people were involved. I feel very proud of the support that we've recieved locally and the number of children that have been helped because of her."

She added she would accept the honour on behalf of all of Hannah's family and the families of those affected by childhood cancer.

"I think if we knew the scale we probably would have been frightened off," she said of the venture.

"When you're given the opportunity to do something to help others I think it would be very difficult not to."

Others across Herefordshire and Worcestershire being honoured include local businessman Graham Knowles, who has been appointed an MBE for services to heritage.

The 78-year-old, from Stourport-on-Severn, helped find a new home for the world-famous Stourbridge Glass Collection, spearheading a years-long campaign after councillors closed the previous Broadfield House Glass Museum.

Some 10,000 items are held at the new museum, which finally opened in 2022 after numerous setbacks.

Mick Donovan, pro vice chancellor of the University of Worcester, becomes an MBE for services to inclusion in sport and education.

He helped create the University of Worcester Arena, the first sports facility in the UK purpose-designed with wheelchair athletes in mind, and Worcester Wolves Basketball Club.

Redditch angler Mark Downes, who manages Team England, has also been appointed an MBE for services to angling.

Bromsgrove's Lauren Rowles, who at Paris 2024 became the first woman to win rowing gold at three Paralympic Games, becomes an OBE for services to rowing.

Other honours recipients from Herefordshire and Worcestershire include: