A grandfather-of-five is planning to celebrate his MBE by travelling to Nepal to build a library.

Mickey Gordon, 66, from Drysdale Avenue in Chingford, worked as a teacher for over 40 years.

For the past 30 years he has been taking teenagers and young adults from East London to Nepal on education expeditions.

He said: “I have been inundated with messages from young people I took to Nepal years ago. They still remember that experience.

“They were 16, 17 and 18-year-olds and they thought education was rubbish.

“It was a life changing experience for them. They re-evaluated their own lives and their education.

“I am proud of my work and it has been an absolute pleasure to do.

“To not only know these young people but to also help them and have an impact on their lives is rewarding.”

Mr Gordon, who taught at Saint Bonaventure’s Secondary School in Forest Gate, will return to Nepal early next year to build a library.

He previously took over a thousand books collected by Walthamstow Girls’ School to the town hit by last year’s earthquake.

Mr Gordon runs the Leaside Trust in Hackney, which provides outdoor education to young people.

He is eagerly anticipating being awarded his MBE.

He said: “I am excited

“The Mayor of Waltham Forest sent me a letter congratulating me.

“It is honouring for a very simple Chingford teacher and it is very overwhelming.”