Several well-known faces - and also volunteers - from the Scottish third sector have been included in the Queen's Birthday Honours list
The work of charity volunteers and bosses alike has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
From local volunteers to the head of one of Scotland’s largest philanthropic organisations, the list covers a diverse range of individuals from the third sector.
Sir Ian Wood, who created the Wood Foundation, became the first Scot to gain the title of Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.
He said: “I am greatly honoured to have this recognition from the Queen – which in itself is pretty gratifying.
“It’s based on work I’ve done in business, public life and philanthropy along with a lot of very good other people and of course my family, so I’m happy to recognise that they share it.”
The Wood Foundation was formed 11 years ago and since then has supported innovative projects for youngsters in Scotland and enterprise initiatives in Africa.
Mairi Chrystal, head of nurse and therapist services for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, was granted an MBE for her work to help those who have suffered strokes.
“I’m not accepting this for myself, I am accepting the MBE for four reasons,” she said.
“Firstly for CHSS who had the vision to recognise the need for the stroke nurse service many years ago. Secondly for our colleagues in the NHS who tell us about the added value we bring to their patients after discharge from hospital.
“Thirdly for every one of the stroke nurse service team, who are all equally passionate about their work and the standards of care they provide. Most importantly I am accepting the MBE on behalf of the thousands of patients and their families that the service has supported. So many people are an inspiration in how they have moved forward with their lives after having a stroke.”
Flora Martin was given an MBE for her work with Action for Children. Martin has been an integral part of the charity’s team since 1999, working on a series of high profile events including the hugely successful Woman of Influence event which has raised over £1 million to support the charity’s work in Scotland.
Kate Guthrie, chair of Action for Children in Scotland, said: “For almost two decades, Flora has tirelessly given her time to the Action for Children cause, first as a committee member then as our ambassador.
“During this time, she has helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to support our work and better the lives of disadvantaged children, young people and families across the whole of Scotland.”
Teresa McNally, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations board director and board member of Ochil View Housing Association was awarded an MBE for services to community housing.
Upon hearing the news, McNally said she was surprised and delighted. She said: “I have always had an interest in my community and in social housing and became involved and active as a tenant locally in Clackmannanshire in the mid-1980s and have stayed involved ever since.”
Dr Alison Elliot, who was the first female moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, was given a CBE. Elliot has played a wide and varied role in public life, having also chaired the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Group and served as convenor of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) for six years from 2007 to 2013. During that time she sat on the influential Christie Commission into the future of public services.
Those recognised with an OBE include NHS Health Scotland’s Dr Andrew Kerr, Common Thread chief executive Julie Joseph, Eighteen and Under founder Laurie Matthew, Includem chief executive Angela Morgan and ex-Scottish Wildlife Trust chair and former Green MSP Robin Harper.
MBE recipients include Dr Valerie Doherty of the Scottish Melanoma Group, Scottish Showbusiness Benevolent Fund trustee Dr Alasdair Gillies, William Grieve Deans. Lifeboat Operations manager Aberdeen Lifeboat Station, The Driving Force Scotland’s Dr Bridget McCalister and HOPE for Autism chair Carol Francis Russell.
