Investiture Stories: Lynne McNicoll receives her OBE

Lynne McNicoll first began fundraising at the age of 49, and within the next five years raised over £650,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. In 2010 she started her own charity, It's Good 2 Give, to support young cancer patients and their families. In 2015 Lynne received her OBE from The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

What inspired you to start It's Good 2 Give?

For my fiftieth birthday I was challenged to raise £1000 for every year of my life, and I managed to raise £54,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. I realised I should have been fundraising all my life. It was a real life-changer for me to meet young people with cancer and hear their stories. There's so much more to cancer than meets the eye, and children should not have to go through this kind of illness or endure the side effects of treatment. I wanted to support not only the young people but their entire families as well.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

It's Good 2 Give has kindness at its core, and the vast majority of our support comes from community fundraising. I'm so proud that we have brought the community together to work together and help other members of the community through the charity.

This honour is for everyone I've helped and also for everyone who has helped me

What does it mean to you to receive this honour?

It means a great deal to me for my ten years of work to be recognised in this way. This honour is for everyone I've helped and also for everyone who has helped me.

What did you speak to The Prince of Wales about?

The Prince told me how he understood how difficult is to raise money and how what we have done is a real achievement. I invited him to visit our Ripple Retreat when it opens later next year!

What's next for you now?

We are hoping to have our Ripple Retreat finished by the summer. It's a very special space on the shores of Loch Venachar for young people either suffering or recovering from cancer and their families to spend time together. I've been overwhelmed by the amazing donations we have had for the project from a huge number of local businesses.

The charity is also going to be featured on The Great British Menu in the summer!

To find out more about Lynne and her work with It's Good 2 Give, visit www.itsgood2give.co.uk

Related content

Press release 13 June 2007

New members of the Order of Merit 2007

Read more
Press release 23 April 2007

The Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2007

Read more
Press release 19 July 2006

Winner of The Queen's Medal for Music 2006

Read more
Press release 17 June 2006

Recipients of the Royal Victorian Order, 17 June 2006

Read more
Press release 24 April 2006

The winner of The Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2006

Read more
Press release 16 July 2005

Winner of The Queen's Medal for Music 2005

Read more
Press release 01 May 2005

The Queen's Medal for Music 2005

Read more
Press release 28 April 2005

New members of the Order of Merit announced

Read more
Press release 23 April 2005

Appointments to the Order of the Garter 2005

Read more
Press release 23 April 2004

Winner of The Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2004

Read more
Press release 28 October 2002

New appointments to the Order of Merit

Read more
Press release 10 June 2002

Golden Jubilee Poetry Competition winners

Read more
Press release 23 April 2002

The Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2002

Read more

Newspaper Society lunch, London, 26 March 2002

Your newspapers are an intrinsic part of the communities they serve, they give us a very special insight into what is going on around the country.

26 March 2002

Royal Warrant Holders' Association Golden Jubilee lunch, London, 20 March 2002

The Royal Warrant of Appointment is an ancient and honourable institution. It symbolises excellence.

20 March 2002

Golden Jubilee gathering of Privileged Bodies, 21 March 2002

Privileged Bodies are held in great respect, not just in this country but throughout the world.

21 February 2002