A philanthropist from Union Mills is to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for raising funds for many good causes.

Tony Fox has dedicated 40 years of his life to helping a range of charities as well as Coronary Care at both Noble’s Hospital and Broad Green in Liverpool, and Robert Owen House in Liverpool.

He was recognised for his services to medical charities and the community of the Isle of Man.

The announcement paid special mention to his work of raising more than £100,000 for the Liver Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, in tribute to his late wife Ann.

Mr Fox said: ’I got a telephone call two months ago from the Lieutenant Governor. I could not believe it and thought it was a wind up.

’There was a lot of pressure because I could only tell one person, so I told my daughter.’

In November 2014, he lost his wife, who died due to liver failure. This led to Mr Fox, their daughter Andrea and son Stephen raising money to buy a Normothermic Regional Perfusion machine, called the ’Fox Machine’ by the hospital.

’When we started this five years ago we didn’t do it for recognition, but to help other people live on. Before my wife passed away she wanted to give something back to the hospital.’

Ann planned a successful charity dinner, which she was not fit enough to attend and tragically died a few days after. The amount raised eventually led to the life-saving Fox Machine being installed at the hospital late last year.

Mr Fox has been ’blown away’ with the support he and his family have received and hopes to raise another £30,000 for good causes this year.