A locally founded charity’s researcher who has brought world-leading experts together to fight Parkinson’s was named in the New Year Honours list.

Rickmansworth resident Dr Richard Kenneth Howard Wyse, director of clinical development at Cure Parkinson's, has been made Member of the Order of the British Empire(MBE) for services to Parkinson’s Disease medicine.

Special honours are given to people who make outstanding contributions to their community and the country, with the New Year Honours acknowledging 1,227 people in the UK for 2024.

Dr Wyse,77, told the Watford Observer that the honour was “incredibly humbling”.

“I’ve worked in medicine a long time, you don’t do that to get awards like this, but I’ve now had hundreds of congratulations from people,” he said.

“I’ve never had an award before, I’m apparently going to go to the palace to pick up a medal.”

Watford Observer: Richard WyseRichard Wyse (Image: Cure Parkinson's)

Cure Parkinson’s was founded in Croxley in 2005 before moving to locations around Rickmansworth and then to London to accommodate its growing size.

Funding millions of pounds of research, it says it has “made significant progress in the quest for a cure.

Dr Wyse added that there are “hundreds of great people” working in the field of Parkinson’s research who also deserve awards and recognition.