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Tony Caldwell lives in Worcestershire and has been involved with Leukaemia Research since 1977 - when his son, Simon (pictured, right), was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 3.  Although Simon died when aged 5½, Tony's work for the charity has continued.  He has two daughters, Vanessa and Joanna.

He became Secretary of Leukaemia Research's Coventry & Nuneaton Branch. He then helped establish new fundraising Branches in Rugby and Bromsgrove, and he founded the Redditch and Alcester Branch of which he was chairman for many years.

He has arranged many events, both large and small, varying from jumble sales and coffee mornings, raising around £50 a time, to concerts making over £1,000 and sponsored walks producing in excess of £10,000 on each occasion.

Running the London Marathon raised £5,000, and he also completed the 40 mile Lyke Wake Walk in the North Yorkshire Moors, the 190 mile Wainwright's 'Coast to Coast' walk, Offa's Dyke Path (Prestatyn to Chepstow) and the Three Peaks Challenge (Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis).

Further exploits have included the 'Tour Du Mont Blanc Trek' and several journeys in the Himalaya, trekking in the areas of Annapurna and Everest and undertaking a rare journey inside the ancient, remote 'Last Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang', whose borders touch China/Tibet.

He now gives illustrated talks, with colour slides, to many groups and organisations describing his different travels, with all monies being donated to Leukaemia Research.

Over the years, he has personally raised over £½ million.  In 1993, in recognition of his work, he was one of the first recipients in the country of Leukaemia Research's 'Certificate of Merit'.  An appearance on Channel 5's television programme 'Open House with Gloria Hunniford' highlighted his achievements.  In 2006, he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for "charitable services to Leukaemia Research".