A dedicated volunteer who has helped raise more than £15m for a youth charity has been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

James Bennet was awarded an MBE for his services to young people after supporting the Prince’s Trust for 15 years and acting as a patron for Action for Children.

The 46-year-old from Wimbledon began by supporting the Prince’s Trust’s music events programme in 1997 and helped advise on sales and marketing for these events.

In 2002 he helped the trust establish its technology leadership group, which he later became chairman of for two years.

The group went on to become the trust’s most successful fundraising initiative and has now raised more than £15m.

He continues to support the trust with time and advice serving on the committee for both its technology leadership group and its new internet and media leadership group.

Mr Bennet works at Ernst & Young where he acts as a key sponsor for their corporate partnership with the trust, which raises a further £300,000 A YEAR.

He also gives his time to Action for Children and for the past 13 years has been co-chairman and co-founder of the charity’s Byte Night London event that raises money and awareness for vulnerable young children who are at risk of becoming homeless.

The event income has risen from £50,000 to £750,000 making it their biggest fundraiser.