MBE for fundraising teacher with terminal cancer

Nathaniel Dye was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023

A music teacher who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023 has said he hopes being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) will be a "springboard" for his campaigning work.

Nathaniel Dye said he was "absolutely thrilled" to be recognised in the New Year Honours List for his work campaigning for cancer awareness and an improved NHS.

"It's one more chance to make my family proud, that's all I want now," said 39-year-old Mr Dye, from east London.

"What would have been nicer is if my elderly father had lived to see it."

Mr Dye walked from Land's End to John o' Groats to raise money for charity

Mr Dye said his father, who died earlier this year aged 88, had been "foremost in my mind when I received the letter".

"What's important when you're dying is family and relationships with the ones you love," he said.

"It's a tragedy that my family will lose me so young, but they've got this to be proud of.

"I don't know anyone who has got these letters after their name," he added. "It blows my mind I might even deserve it."

Mr Dye met the Prime Minister in Downing Street

Since being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, Mr Dye has raised more than £37,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through challenges including walking from Land's End to John o' Groats and running the London Marathon while playing the trombone.

He urged more people to learn the signs of cancer and see their doctor early if experiencing symptoms, and said he waited too long to take action in his own case.

Mr Dye said he planned to continue "being useful" after being appointed MBE, and "trying to do as much living as I can".

He recently released the album Matters of Life and Death, exploring his experience of living with terminal cancer.

He said: "The way I see it is: what if it's a springboard to something else?

"Maybe this will get people listening to me a bit more. Being a dying man, it doesn't necessarily get you a yes, but it gets you a listening.

"I've never played at Glastonbury, it would be good if it led to that."

More than 250 Londoners were recognised in the New Year Honours, including authors, actors, police officers, scientists and philanthropists.