Posthumous MBE for inspirational Stephen Sutton

Stephen Sutton, the inspirational teen who raised more than £4million for the Teenage Cancer Trust, has been awarded a rare posthumous MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

He was told of the award before his death on May 14, describing it as “awesome”.

Announcing the teenager’s MBE, the Cabinet Office said: “It is clear that Stephen touched and inspired a huge number of people and that his ambassadorial work for the Teenage Cancer Trust was greatly appreciated by all those he helped.”

He had touched a chord with the British public with his cheery determination to do good before his inevitable early death.

Thousands queued outside Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire to pay their respects to the teenage cancer fundraiser before his funeral.

The teen, from Burntwood in Staffordshire, had originally launched his fundraising appeal with a goal of £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The total on Stephen’s justgiving.com page has now exceeded £4m.

Stephen, 19, who was suffering from terminal cancer, inspired millions across the world with his story.

The Teenage Cancer Trust’s chief executive Siobhan Dunn is sure that Stephen’s memory will “never be forgotten” because it will live on through the work of the charity.