Wakefield Trinity legend Neil Fox awarded CBE in King’s Birthday Honours

Lisette van Riel from Pontefract has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to animal welfare charities.

Carlton Academy Trust chief executive Adrian Kneeshaw, from Wakefield, has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to education.

And former Wakefield Hospice director of income generation, Helen Mack DL (formerly Knowles), has been awarded the BEM in recognition for services to hospice care for 38 years.

Kevin Sinfield has received a knighthood in recognition of his services to rugby league, rugby union and motor neurone disease (MND) charities.

As a member of the talented golden 1960s Trinity side, Neil helped Wakefield to wins in the 1960, 1962 and 1963 Challenge Cup finals.

With 6,220 points throughout his career, Neil holds the all-time record for points scored in a rugby league career, a mark that nobody has come remotely close to matching.

At 87, he still has a huge involvement with the club, engaging in many Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation programmes.

He was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1983 – 23 years after she had presented him and his Trinity team-mates with the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1960.

Chair of the RFL and RL Commercial, Nigel Wood OBE, said: “It is an honour to be able to celebrate Neil Fox’s award of a CBE.

“Neil’s astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in rugby league.

“It is almost unimaginable today to think that Neil played more than 800 professional games.

“Nearly half a century after his glorious career drew to a close, still no one has yet got close to his all-time scoring record of 6,220 points.

“Indeed, it’s hard to envisage it ever being surpassed. Amongst players of his generation, he was widely regarded as the finest of centres, both here and overseas.

“And later, when he moved into the forwards, he was still highly impactful, indeed scoring two tries against the Kangaroos for Bradford in 1978.

“Neil, of course, is one of the three famous Fox brothers, each of whom achieved great success in our sport.

“A prolific member of the famous Great Britain touring side that won the Ashes in 1962, it is wonderful to see Neil, at the age of 87, still attending games at his beloved Trinity and remaining such a significant part of that community.”

Kevin has raised millions of pounds for MND charities in memory of his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, from Pontefract.

He said he was “deeply honoured and grateful” to receive his knighthood on behalf of the rugby and MND communities.

“Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much,” Kevin said.

“I was privileged to play with some great players for my club and country and made friendships for life. That is the special thing about rugby, of either code – the team-mates you make on the pitch are by your side off the field long after you hang up your boots.

“That is something I always say to young boys and girls when they ask about playing rugby and the bonds you make, through the good and the tough times.

“My playing career was everything I could ever have dreamed of as a young man but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration.

“The MND community are the very best of us and it has been my privilege to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs.

“As always, I continue to be inspired by the courage that Rob showed in his battle with the disease and he is never far from my thoughts.”

Lisette has raised thousands of pounds for dog rescue organisations across the UK.

She launched the non-profit DoggyLottery in 2020, creating an online rotating charity lottery designed to support dog charities, including smaller rescue centres that often struggle to attract funding.

By June 2026, the initiative had raised more than £165,000 for over 100 dog charities, including more than £25,000 for 65 rescue centres in its first year.

She later launched DoggyWarriors, a community-led initiative bringing together dog lovers while continuing to raise funds for dogs in need through the sale of ethically sourced products.

Carlton Academy Trust said Adrian’s honour was a “fitting recognition of his excellent leadership”.

A spokesperson said: “We’re delighted to announce that our CEO, Adrian Kneeshaw, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours 2026 for services to education.

“A fitting recognition of his exceptional leadership and significant contribution to education across West Yorkshire.”

Helen said she was overwhelmed to receive the honour.

She said: “I cannot put into words what this place still means to me today and to have been recognised for my work at this wonderful charity is both humbling and overwhelming.

“Nobody goes into working for a charity to receive commendation for their work – we do it because we truly care about the cause and want to do all we can to ensure it is here to serve the local community in the very best way possible.

“That being said, I accept this honour with immense pride, gratitude and humility.”