A United Reformed Church minister has been recognised in King Charles’ New Year Honours List 2026 for his charity work.
The Revd David Ireland, who has served as a minister in the North East Manchester District and at Union Street URC in Oldham since 1995, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to children’s hospices. David served as Chief Executive of Francis House Children’s Hospice, retiring in March 2025. The charity that provides respite care and support to the families of children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
David began his working life as an architect and oversaw the conversion of a former convent site in Didsbury into the hospice, which was opened in 1991 by Diana, Princess of Wales. David formally joined the board of trustees in the summer of 1994.
“It’s been a privilege to work there over the years,” said David. “The award is a wonderful benefit for the whole team.”
As chief executive David directed the expansion of the Francis House to support more families at home and meet the demand for respite care for teenagers and young adults. To date the hospice has supported more than 1,500 families. David was also the driving force behind the opening of two residential care homes in Didsbury and Heaton Moor, providing age-appropriate facilities for young people with complex needs.
David also served as Chaplain at Francis House for many years, providing spiritual support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved families.
“I think it’s a great thing for Francis House as a whole,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been involved with for 35 years and the staff are very dedicated. I think it’s something for everybody.”
David’s work has also involved international development in countries such as Bosnia and Japan.
“As a minister it’s been brilliant,” he said. “I’ve been to Belarus working with the kids of children affected by Chernobyl. Sarajevo, where one of the first buildings bombed was a children’s hospital as part of the ethnic cleansing going on there. In 2018, I helped set up the first independent children’s hospice in Yokohama.”
He joked: “I never get sent to the Maldives or the Bahamas, just war-torn countries which itself has been a brilliant ministry alongside my URC work in Oldham, which I’ve enjoyed tremendously over the past 31 years.”
About to turn 70 and although he has stepped back to allow his successor at the charity to take over, David is showing no signs of slowing down.
“I shall carry on until my health starts to fail,” he said.
Image: Francis House Children’s Hospice.