Brad Ainsworth from Chichester-based Cathedral Wealth Management has been presented with a British Citizens Award, Medal of Honour, for services to volunteering and charitable giving.

He was one of 26 individuals to receive the award.

Between all his different charitable initiatives, he has helped to raise over £2.3m for charity benefitting both local and international communities.

Mr Ainsworth, having grown up in an impoverished area and leaving school with little qualifications, wanted to help young people who leave education wanting to start their own business.

He founded Springboard2Business, an organisation to help young people wanting to start their own business.

He also visits schools to give talks on the importance of finance.

Mr Ainsworth was one of the first major sponsors of V2 Radio and slept rough as part of the Stonepillow charity.

He is the primary sponsor for Chichester Rugby Club and raised funds for eight beds so that parents could stay by their child’s bedside at St Richard’s Hospital.

{loadpositionhidden2}

Despite losing his sight, having been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, he is steadfast in his efforts to support those most in need. Recent challenges included DJ'ing at a Dementia Hub, and an attempted walk-up Kilimanjaro, where he raised funds for an Orphanage in Tanzania.

When he heard that a local women’s refuge could not support women who were disabled, he ensured a ramp was installed.

Mr Ainsworth said: “People often think wealth management is about helping people with money, but I’ve never seen it that way.  I see our job to help everyone who needs financial advice, despite how much is in their bank account.

“Sometimes, people need extra support that isn't financially led. This is where there is a need for many different types of charities, clubs, and community initiatives to assist. However, they themselves really struggle to raise money, to keep doing the work they do, and this is where I wanted to help.”

Cathedral Wealth Management is a partner practice of wealth management giant St James’s Place.

Mr Ainsworth is also the foundation representative for the SJP Solent Foundation Committee. The Foundation supports hundreds of charities every year through its grant-making programmes. Many of its charity partnerships go beyond funding, with the SJP community also volunteering their time and skills.