An explorer has been made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to hot-air ballooning. Alicia Hempleman-Adams, 34, from Bath hopes the recognition will inspire more people – particularly young women – to take up the sport. The fashion consultant is the daughter of adventurer Sir David Hempleman-Adams, 67, who was made an OBE in the late Queen’s birthday honours in 1998 for services to Arctic exploration.
In April this year, Ms Hempleman-Adams set three women’s airship world records in Connecticut in the United States – 20 years after her father set the men’s record in the same airship. She said she “couldn’t believe it” when she received a letter informing her that she would be made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours. Ms Hempleman-Adams said: “I’m very excited.
It’s not quite sunk in yet, I don’t think. It was a bit of a shock to be awarded it, it wasn’t something I was expecting, so it is a big surprise. I received a letter in the post and it gave all the details.
I got it out and read it and just couldn’t believe it. It’s not something you expect to get in your mail. “I’m really looking forward to going.
I’ve been a few times with my dad, who has received a few awards, so it’ll be weird going myself, it’ll be a bit surreal.” In her most recent challenge, Ms Hempleman-Adams took off on a solo flight from the town of Bethlehem in Connecticut, reaching an altit.
