Norman Rivers, who along with his wife Joan started the Chernobyl’s Children charity in the island, was invested with his British Empire Medal by the Lieutenant Governor.
The ceremony at Government House came after Mr Rivers was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his work with the charity.
Mr Rivers was not available to comment on the ceremony because he is currently in Belarus making preparations for this year’s visit by the children, but Mrs Rivers said they had enjoyed the ceremony and he had been honoured to receive the accolade.
‘There were family, friends and committee members involved in the charity who were there for the ceremony,’ she said.
‘The Lieutenant Governor was very good and went around to speak to a lot of people and he was very interested in the charity. We told him the honour really recognises the work done by many different people within the charity. Many people have helped and really Norman is a figurehead.’
The charity started up in the island in 1999 and the first group of visitors came over in 2000. Since then 255 children have visited the island and this year’s visit, between July and August, is currently being planned.
Mrs Rivers said the first visitors are now in their 20s, some with children of their own, and many turn up to see Mr Rivers when he returns each year to Belarus.