December 30, 2025

Billy McGranaghan, the founder of the family support charity DadsHouse, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for his services to vulnerable families, food bank provision. His recognition highlights nearly two decades of work supporting single fathers and families across the capital.

Mr McGranaghan founded DadsHouse in Fulham in 2007 after raising his son alone, an experience that shaped the charity’s mission to ensure that “children remain the priority after divorce, separation or bereavement”. The organisation was created to help single fathers navigate the practical and emotional challenges of parenting alone, offering everything from mentoring and emotional support to legal advice and emergency assistance.

Today, DadsHouse operates as a fully established family charity providing drop-in support, breakfast clubs, pro bono family law clinics, housing assistance, and food bank services to parents in need.

He posted on social media after the announcement, “I am so proud as a single dad's charity we can help the most vulnerable families who need practical support. And so proud of our team.”

The charity has long operated a food bank and community hub in the borough, where demand surged dramatically during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, the Fulham food bank supported around 50 families a week — but during the first lockdown, queues stretched to 670 people in a single day, placing the charity at the frontline of the local crisis.

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham has publicly recognised the charity’s role in helping residents through the cost-of-living crisis, describing DadsHouse as being “on the frontline as local residents battle the cost-of-living fight”. Its Fulham base continues to provide food parcels, emotional support, and practical help to families struggling with rising costs, isolation, and housing insecurity.

Two other figures with links to Hammersmith & Fulham were also recognised in this year’s honours. Hammersmith resident, Bill Bailey, the musician, comedian and broadcaster, received an MBE for services to entertainment and Eglantine Browne, Chief Executive of Nubian Life, was awarded the BEM for her services to the Afro-Caribbean community in the borough.

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