A CHORLEY businessman is preparing for a fund-raising expedition to Everest Base Camp after being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the local community.

Chorley Group chairman will be doing the trek is in aid of Inspire, Chorley Youth Zone in a bid to raise £25,000 in further support of the children’s charity.

As is the chairman of the Inspire, Andrew Turner has already taken a lead role in securing more than £2.5m of investment to guarantee its long term success.

Andrew began his entrepreneurship as the founder of £130m turnover car dealership Chorley Group who are one of the Founder Patrons at Inspire, Chorley Youth Zone pledging £25,000 each year for three years.

And in October, the 59-year-old plans to trek to Mount Everest’s Base Camp - a monumental challenge for the MBE.

Speaking to Lancashire Business View regarding his MBE award, Turner said: “I am truly humbled to receive this honour — it really should be shared with all the people who have worked alongside me over the years at both Chorley Group and the Inspire Youth Zone.

“Their passion and hard work are the things that drive me on.”

The Youth Zone is a purpose-built facility for the borough of Chorley’s young people (aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities) to enjoy a wide variety of events and activities and was officially opened in May last year.

Young people from across Chorley are given access to the facilities for a cost of £5 for an annual membership and 50p per visit.

The project attracted a membership of more than 5,400 young people in its first year.

Turner said: “I am particularly delighted that this honour will put the spotlight on the need for a centre like Inspire which does so much to support young people in our community.”

On hearing the about the Everest Challenge Janine Blythe, Chief Executive of Inspire, Chorley Youth Zone said: “We couldn’t be more proud of our incredible Chairman.

“He’s not only an inspiration to our staff and the wider Chorley community, but also to the thousands of young people that attend the Youth Zone each week as he continues to support Inspire and change the lives of Chorley’s next generation.”

With running and delivery costs at Inspire Youth Zone costing £1 million each year, the independent children’s charity is hugely reliant on the generosity from the public and private businesses across Lancashire to support and raise funds for over 90% of their costs.

If you would like to help create both happier, safer and healthier young people and a community the whole of Chorley can be proud of by supporting and fundraising for Inspire.