Guernsey cyclist becomes MBE in King's Birthday Honours

Ian Brown, known for his cycling achievements and extensive charity work, has been made an MBE.

He has been recognised by the King for his services to the sport and to charity.

The former Island Games and Commonwealth Games cyclist has been raised money for Les Bourgs hospice for four decades.

He is the founder of the Rock to Rocque charity cycle ride - which he continues to run - that has raised more than £700,000  over the past 34 years.

In 2008 he launched the 30–30 Challenge, an event in which 30 riders each cycle for an hour a day for 30 days.  It has raised £1.2 million.

He told Island FM what he is most proud if:

"It's the satisfaction of how people have walked alongside me in initiatives I've been involved with, but particularly the 30-30,. That's a magic event that started so well and has built ever since and continues 19 years later, it's provided friendship.

"The pride of that event, the pride of the participants really more than my own pride, but I'm proud of the whole thing."

Ian also helped to establish Male Uprising Guernsey (MUG), a charity dedicated to raising awareness of male cancers, which has raised more than £1.1m.

Most recently, he founded and now chairs Wheels for You, a charity launched to make cycling accessible to people with physical or neurological disabilities.

He has represented Guernsey at seven Island Games, competed in two Commonwealth Games, and became the first Guernsey cyclist to represent Great Britain in the Tour of Normandy, and more recently, was elected a Jurat of the court.

He says:

"They (the charity events) create their own identity and their own purpose, so they are bigger than the people that take part, or even the organisers

"It's a great legacy that will carry on when age takes over me!

"It's very satisfying to have started something that's been long-established and will continue."

Three other Guernsey residents have been honoured by the King.

Ben Gregg receives British Empire Medal for services to St Martin's parish.

Has spent 26 years as a member of the St Martin’s Parish Douzaine. He is also a regular volunteer minibus driver for Age Concern.

Johanna Norman, who has dedicated more than 48 years of volunteering service to swimming and water safety, is also awarded a British Empire Medal.

She began volunteering in the mid‑1970s with the Guernsey Swimming Club at the La Vallette outdoor pools. Athletes she has coached have competed at the Island Games, Commonwealth Games and even the Olympic Games.

Ms Norman leads the outdoor Christmas Day Polar Bear Swim, and is instrumental in the Open Castle Charity Swim, raising tens of thousands of pounds for worthy local causes.

Colin Prigent has received  a Silver Royal Victorian Medel for his work as gardener and then Deputy Head Gardener at Government House for the past 20 years.