Founder of Belief receives his MBE from the Princess Royal

In December, Steve Evans, of Belief, was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for “voluntary and charitable services in North Wales”.

Last week, Steve, and his mother Margaret Evans, travelled to Windsor Castle to receive his honour. 

Steve, of Meliden, said: "It was brilliant. It was an amazing day.

"I couldn't believe when I got the email saying I had been appointed MBE. I thought it was a wind up.

"The day was absolutely fantastic. I went with my mum. The only thing that was hard was that my wife Dawn couldn't come because of her diagnosis."

Steve with his mum Margaret (Image: Palacephotos / Steve Evans)
Dawn is fighting a high grade brain tumour.

Steve, who carried out '10,000 Steps A Day in February' challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, said: "The tumour is stable and the radiotherapy and chemotherapy is working but it is just heart-breaking."

Steve said his mum "smashed it" travelling around London.

"She is 86," he said.

"She is very proud. We did it all in the day and we went first class on the train because it is a once in a lifetime event.

"We did plan to stay overnight, Dawn and I, but it is what it is."

Talking about the incredibly special day, Steve said: "We got to the castle and the staff were amazing there.

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"You look round the different rooms. I love history and we basically had a one-to-one tour guide. There was always someone to talk to. You were never bored."

Steve was given a briefing and told what to do in terms of bowing and shaking hands.

Steve, who started Belief in 2012, said: "Princess Anne is absolutely amazing. When she was talking she is just focused on you. She has this amazing ability to just focus on you and it feels like she is genuinely interested. It puts you at so much ease. I was so nervous. Nervous as hell.

"Even when she pinned the medal on me, she was talking. You think 'these people are actually human beings after all'. 

"She asked about Belief and my work history. I said, with Belief, how we have no red tape and how we can make a difference. She said 'you must be pleased there is no red tape, that must please so many people.'

"I didn't know what to expect but I had this warm and caring person in front of me."

"We went into the gardens. It was really nice to meet other people and have a chat with them. I met someone from the The Brain Tumour Charity," she added.

"It really was a once in a lifetime event."