by Emma Grove

An Island fund-raiser who has met a whole host of VIPs has topped his list by meeting the Queen.

Former London cabbie, Del McCarrick, was honoured with an MBE at Buckingham Palace last week.

Mr McCarrick, of the Leas, Minster, has raised more than £165,000 for good causes, mostly by running marathons dressed in a Roger Rabbit costume.

In the past, BBC sports presenter Sue Barker, former boxer Frank Bruno and Olympic gold medallist Linford Christie have presented Mr McCarrick with cheques, but it was the Queen who he finally got to meet.

Roger Rabbit took the journey to London with Mr McCarrick, but he stopped short of wearing the costume for the presentation.

The 74-year-old, who has competed in more than 60 marathons all over the world, started fund-raising after a close friend lost his 18-month-old daughter to leukaemia.

He completed his first marathon in 1985, and much of the money he has raised has gone to the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Mr McCarrick, who completed his 23rd London Marathon this year, said the Queen asked him about his charity work and congratulated him, and he was surprised that she was much smaller than he expected her to be.

He added: "It was an absolutely gorgeous day – mind boggling.

"The palace inside was unbelievable.

"The Queen spoke to me about my charity work and I told her I run as Roger Rabbit, but I’m not sure she knew who Roger Rabbit is.

"I’m amazed and very privileged – it’s marvellous.

"It’s all the people who have contributed – it’s their doing really, and the rabbit’s."

As well as Roger, Mr McCarrick was accompanied by his three children Lisa, Laurie and Darren and after the service they went out for a meal.