Mummy's Star founder receives honorary MBE

Glossop charity founder Pete Wallroth has officially received an honorary MBE at a special ceremony in Derbyshire.

The event marks a significant milestone for both him and the charity he established in memory of his late wife.

Pete, founder and chief executive of Mummy's Star, was presented with the honour by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, during a ceremony at Morley Hayes near Ilkeston on Monday 15th June. 

The presentation came as Mummy's Star celebrated its 13th anniversary, with colleagues, supporters and families paying tribute to Pete's dedication to supporting women and families affected by cancer during and around pregnancy. 

Mummy's Star is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting people diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy, after birth or following baby loss. The organisation was founded in 2013 following the death of Pete's first wife, Mair, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer while pregnant with the couple's second child. 

Although their baby was born safely, Mair sadly died just ten weeks later. 

Determined that no other family should have to face such an experience alone, Pete established Mummy's Star to provide emotional, practical, financial and peer support to families navigating a cancer diagnosis during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. 

Over the past 13 years, the charity has supported more than 2,000 families across the UK and Ireland and has become a leading voice in raising awareness of cancer in and around pregnancy. 

Announcing the presentation of the award, the Mummy's Star team said: "Our 13th birthday seems the perfect time to send the biggest Mummy's Star congratulations to our Founder and CEO Pete Wallroth. 

"Pete has worked tirelessly for over 13 years to transform the sad loss of his first wife, Mair, into something hopeful and impactful. Their heartbreaking experience of metastatic breast cancer diagnosed in pregnancy was the catalyst for everything Mummy's Star is today. It's also why his Hon. MBE for Services to Women's Cancer Support is so well deserved." 

The team added that the charity would not have grown into the vital support service it is today without Pete's commitment and vision. 

They said: "Mummy's Star would not have grown to be the vital support and authority on the cancer in or around pregnancy experience without his hard work. Not to mention, his unwavering belief that mums deserve personalised, informed and compassionate care that centres their role as a parent over their experience as a cancer patient." 

The charity also used the occasion to thank everyone who has supported its work over the past 13 years, saying: 

"We are grateful to every single mum, partner, child, supporter, fundraiser, healthcare professional and team member for being part of our incredible journey this past 13 years." 

Speaking when the honour was first announced, Pete said: "It is a true privilege to receive this award in recognition of the last 12 years. While this is a personal award, I very much accept it in a collective spirit – on behalf of every family we support at Mummy's Star and what they share with us in their moments of deep vulnerability." 

For Pete, the award represents not only personal recognition but also acknowledgement of the thousands of families, supporters, healthcare professionals and volunteers who have helped Mummy's Star grow from a personal tragedy into a nationally recognised source of support and hope.