For more than 20 years, Lesley-Ann Simpson has been the leader of Derriford Hospital-based charity The Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health and has given thousands of awareness talks and provided free prostate cancer testing across the region.
Her efforts have also helped secure vital medical equipment, supported specialist nursing staff and made innovative procedures such as internal radiotherapy and robotic surgery available in the South West for the first time.
Having raised millions of pounds for the cause, the 53-year-old from Plymouth described the honour as “overwhelming”.
She said that BBC Radio Devon adopting her charity back in 2003 “really helped get it off the ground”.
“They did a year-long fundraising campaign amongst their listeners, which worked wonders for us,” she said.
“All I ever wanted was to make sure men felt seen, supported and less afraid to talk about their health.
“And now this BEM has given me the impetus to reach even more lives than before.”
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