Banbury’s local legend Dave Earle thought his MBE phone call was a ‘wind-up’

However now the shock has subsided Dave is trying ahead to visiting Buckingham Palace and says ‘I need to take Banbury with me’.

Since information of his award broke on New Yr’s Day he has acquired numerous messages of congratulation and can’t stroll within the city with out being stopped.

“The response since has been loopy,” he mentioned. “The streets are quiet however associates and strangers are congratulating me each time we go for a stroll.

“My Fb account is in perpetual movement with message of congratulation. That is even a greater response than the one I obtained after I carried the Olympic Torch. I cant wait to choose up my MBE medal. Will probably be an incredible day and I need to take Banbury with me.”

Dave’s quotation for the MBE award is focused on the Tribus Group he runs and the charitable work he does.

“The Tribus group I run was arrange in 2015 and was initially for folks affected by alcohol abuse, as this was was one thing that had had an enormous impact by myself household,” he mentioned.

“Tribus was arrange after I turned it right into a volunteer group to assist anybody scuffling with psychological well being issues. I exploit skilled cognitive behavioural therapists and coaches and likewise certified counsellors who all assist freed from cost for my talks which comply with a 45-minute train class.

“I began these lessons after working for 3 years for Turning Level and changing into a Peer Mentor. Final 12 months I acquired a Factors of Gentle award from the Chancellor of the Exchequer at 10 Downing Avenue for the voluntary work I do for folks with psychological well being issues.

“I imagine we save lives. We get folks to see that life is price residing. I imagine that by altering the best way folks suppose we will change the course of how they stay their lives. We get folks again to work, carry households again collectively and assist folks realise that though life might be troublesome, it is typically these difficulties that may form them into turn out to be stronger.

“We love what we do. When somebody thanks you as a result of they’ve simply gone purchasing for the primary time in six years it makes you are feeling nice,” he mentioned.

Dave missed the e-mail despatched about his MBE and with no response, the House Workplace known as him at work at his fitness center, Spit ‘n’ Sawdust in North Bar, Banbury.

“I requested him if he was winding me up. He assured me he wasn’t and requested me if I accepted the nomination. After all I mentioned sure. I had truly gone previous the deadline date by lacking the e-mail however I stuffed the shape in and was accepted. When it was confirmed I used to be so glad. I had organized a zoom name to our youngsters at 11am on New Yr’s Day to let all of them know. They seemed as a lot as in disbelief as I used to be,” he mentioned.

Dave was five-times House Counties boxing champion and British mild heavyweight kickboxing champion. He represented Nice Britain in Budapest within the World Full-contact Kickboxing Championships.