Why won't they give Clic founder Bob Woodward an MBE?

THE sister of a man who has raised more than £50 million for charity has questioned why he is consistently overlooked for an honour.

Diane Rowles, 70, says she her family is "baffled" as to why Bob Woodward who founded children's leukaemia charity Clic in 1974 has not been recognised with an MBE.

Mr Woodward, of Frenchay, set up the cancer charity after his son Robert was diagnosed with cancer going on to die aged 11 in 1977.

The 79-year-old's achievements were recognised by the Post in 2010 when he was awarded the overall Post/First Gold Star Award.

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The following year Prime Minister David Cameron presented him with a Pride of Britain Award.

Mr Woodward, who is battling prostate cancer, was also honoured to be named as one of the oldest Olympic torch bearers to take part in the 70-day relay around the UK.

More recently he agreed to come out of retirement one more time in order to raise one more million – for a cause that is very close to his heart.

He launched The Starfish Pool Appeal – a fundraising drive to pay for a much-needed £1m hydrotherapy pool for Claremont Special Secondary School in Redland.

Mrs Rowles said she is immensely proud of Mr Woodward and says members of the family have applied, against his wishes, for probably around the past 20 years.

"We have all filled out all the forms again and again," Mrs Rowles said.

"Last year David Cameron presented him with his Pride of Britain award so we thought he would remember him and it would happen this time but nothing.

"He is going to be 80 in February and the family would definitely like him to be honoured.

"He says he is not concerned and that he does not need it.

"But he is a modest man and I find it hard seeing some people getting honours when he has been doing good for more than 40 years.

"I just can't understand it. It seems we get to a certain stage and then it is blocked."

Mrs Rowles says she is looking to get 100,000 signatures from people in Bristol who believe Mr Woodward should be awarded an MBE in the hope it could help their cause.

"We are looking to get 100,000 signatures from people in Bristol who think he should be recognised for his achievements," she said.

"Bob has done so much good and worked his socks off. He never stops, he is always doing something.

"We are baffled as a family. I hurt for him. He says he is not bothered but deep down I think he must wonder why he hasn't got one.

"He is such a generous man and does not deserve to be treated this way. He has the biggest heart I have ever seen."

Mr Woodward's close friend Richard Hope-Hawkins said he is also baffled as to why he has not been recognised for his achievements.

The broadcaster and writer from Redland said: "I just find it totally abhorrent that after raising so much money for charity and being praised by David Cameron that nothing has come to fruition.

"I know I and many others have written to the Royal family and the Prime Minister and I just can not understand why a man who has achieved so much and helped so many people has never received the recognition he deserves."

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "All nominations are considered on merit by the relevant independent committee."