The chief executive of mental health charity Mind Sarah Hughes and motor neurone disease charities supporter Kevin Sinfield are among charity leaders and fundraisers handed awards in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Hughes has received a CBE for services to mental health and civil society.

Also honoured with a CBE is Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) chief executive Neil Heslop, for services to philanthropy and charity.

He has led CAF for the last six years and is stepping down later this year as he retires from full time executive roles.

Heslop, who received an OBE 24 years ago for services to charity and telecommunications, said that the award "is a lovely thing for my family, friends, colleagues and I".

A CBE has also been awarded to Yasmin Khan, chief executive of the Halo Project charity, which was set up in 2011 to support Black and minoritised women and girls experiencing or at risk of abuse.

She has been honoured for services to ending domestic abuse and violence against women.

Among other charity leaders to be recognised is Sarah Wright, chief executive of addiction and recovery charity Open Road, which is marking its 35th anniversary this year.

Wright, who has led the charity since 1993, said that her MBE award “belongs to every person who has walked through our doors seeking help, every member of staff and volunteer who has given their heart to this work and every community that has stood behind us.”

Also receiving an MBE is Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity’s head of grants Anne Carr.

Carr has been in the role for 16 years and has been honoured in recognition of her support for service personnel, veterans and their families.

“I was fortunate to join the charity in its earliest days, with a shared purpose and a real belief in what we were trying to build for Royal Navy personnel, their families, and veterans,” she said.

“It has been an honour to see that work grow and to play a part in supporting a community that means so much to me.

“This award reflects not only my own efforts but the dedication of everyone I’ve worked with over the years, the staff I have had the privilege to manage, colleagues working inside and outside the RNRMC, volunteers, families, and our beneficiaries.”

Motor neurone disease charities fundraiser

Fundraisers to be honoured include former Rugby League player Kevin Sinfield, who has received a knighthood following his fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.

His fundraising started after his late friend and former team mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition.

Earlier this month he announced details of his seventh and final challenge to raise money. This will see him run between Hull and Manchester in September and visit all 12 English Super League grounds.

He has already raised £11m for MND charities.

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