A 76-YEAR-OLD musician who has raised millions of pounds for various charities for more than 58 years has been awarded a CBE.

John Caulcutt, who lives in Sutton Scotney in Hampshire, has been awarded a CBE for his services to charity and to philanthropy.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire was created by King George V during World War I to reward services to the war effort by people helping back in the UK. 

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He said: "I am absolutely humbled by the nomination because it is not all just about me. There are so many people in the world who probably do much more than I have done and who never get noticed.

"I am always part of a bigger team and would always want to remember all those people who worked with me on all the different projects around the world to make it possible."

John has raised millions for various charities whether that has been through his music or travelling the world.

He continued: "I remember one, there is a charity called Shelter Box that put up temporary housing when there has been an earthquake or flood. It was 2004 and I was the first voluntary aide agency there. 

"We got there and there were 12,000 dead on the beach, which is quite something to contend with and that was in India."

John also recalled doing a fundraising music concert to replace boats that had been lost during a tsunami. Other examples of his charity work include the Haiti earthquake and flying into Iraq during the war with $10 million dollars of drugs for children in hospitals.

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He continued: "We have always tried to take the long-term view as to how we can overcome the immediate situation and how to make life better in general."

John said through his music he has raised £45,000 in 2022. He has also put on a concert at the 02 with 14 musical guests including Eric Clapton and Tom Jones, raising over £1 million in March 2020 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

More recently John has put together three van loads of donations to be given to Ukrainian refugees.