They have all given back to the community

Scottish voluntary sector figures have been recognised in this year’s King’s New Year’s Honours list.

In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life, this year’s awards celebrate recipients that are ‘giving back to the community’.

Commanders of the British Empire (CBE) awards

Stephen Mallen, from Crieff, founder of the Zero Suicide Alliance, receives a CBE as does Christopher Alan Stark, chief executive of the Climate Change Committee, for services to tackling climate change.

Order of the British Empire (OBE) awards

William Wright, former chair of Haemophilia Scotland, is awarded an OBE. 

Also receiving an OBE is Janet Elizabeth Rogers, a volunteer from Huntly, for services to cats and wildcats in the north east of Scotland.

Another OBE recipient is Gillian Margaret Duncan, founder and coordinator of East Neuk First Responders, for voluntary services to the community in Fife, while the same honour goes to Norman Andrew Niven, chair, Aberdour Royal National Lifeboat Institution Committee.             

Lady Marguerite Catherine Hunter Blair, chief executive of Play Scotland, gets an OBE for services to play, learning and health. 

John William Kennedy, Scouts Scotland treasurer and volunteer, is awarded an OBE for services to scouting and to young people.

David Matthews, from Mallaig, founder of the The Listening Walk, is now an OBE for services to the Samaritans and to vulnerable people, while also an OBE is Dr Chris Robinson, GP and volunteer, for services to the community in Lochaber, Inverness-shire.

Edward Peter Archer gets an OBE for services to heritage and to the community in Clydesdale.

An OBE also goes to Lorna Greig, girl guide leader and outdoor activity adviser from Roslin, Midlothian, for services to young people through Guiding in Scotland.

Martin James Flett, patron of CLAN Cancer Support, is now an OBE for services to fundraising and to the community in Orkney and Shetland.

Kenneth Gee, crew person at Kirkwall Lifeboat Station, run by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, is likewise an OBE for services to maritime safety and the community in Orkney.

Meanwhile, William David Lipp, chair of the Lifeboat Management Group at Invergordon Lifeboat Station, is an OBE for services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Other OBE recipients are Andrew Nisbet, a volunteer, for services to the community in Yell, Shetland and Kathleen Elaine Stout from Lerwick, lunch club volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service.

Elizabeth McAtear, a volunteer, is an OBE for services to the Western Isles; and Charles Bruce Nicolson is an OBE for voluntary and charitable service in the Western Isles.

Member of the British Empire (MBE) awards

Journalist and presenter Jackie Bird (above) is awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charities.

Also getting an MBE is Natasha Gilmour, head, Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland for services to vulnerable consumers. She is joined by Shirley Joyce Maxwell. for services to the epilepsy community in Scotland. 

Also receiving an MBE is Kirstin Ann Grant, for services to young people with special needs in Nairn.

Major (Rtd) Kevin Gibson Lamb, founder of the Wind Band Association, is an MBE for services to music.

Sandra Margaret Hardacre, from Livingston, is an MBE for voluntary service to athletics in Scotland.

Romano Petrucci, a café Owner and volunteer in Stranraer, is now an MBE for services to the community.

British Empire Medal (BEM) awards

BEMs have been awarded to Dr Anne McArthur for services to Scottish Country Dancing and the community in Portsoy, Banffshire, and to Lanark Amateur Swimming Club head coach Karen Kelly.  

Other BEM recipients are community volunteer Andrew Nisbet for services to the community in Yell, Shetland, and Maureen Morris, a board member for Easterhouse Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Yvonne Davidson, from Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, gets a BEM for services to beekeeping in Scotland and Belinda Louise Rowlands, founder, manager and trustee at The Seed Box, in Banchory, gets a BEM for services to adults and children with additional support needs.

Meanwhile, Wendy Patricia Murray, of Carnoustie, Angus, also gets a BEM for voluntary service.

Other BEM recipients are Mary Catherine Cattanach and Alexandra Munro, volunteers, for services to the community in Ardchattan, Argyll.

Anne Croucher, Tesco community champion and volunteer, gets a BEM for services to the community in Dumfries and Galloway – as does Susan Dorothea Gourlay, a volunteer, for services to the community in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.

Alexandra MacLeod, founder of The BIG Project, is given a BEM for services to the community in Broomhouse, Edinburgh.

Barclay Keith McIntosh, an advocacy volunteer, receives a BEM for services to the community in Fife.

BEMs also go to Morag Mackay, a volunteer from Glasgow, for services to children living with disabilities; Lorraine McInnes, volunteer fundraising campaigner at Maggie's in Glasgow and Stuart McKenzie and Susanne McEwan McKenzie, volunteers, for services to the community in Pollokshields.

Receiving the BEM with them are Maureen Morris, board member of Easterhouse Citizens Advice Bureau and Audrey Mutongi-Darko, founder of The No1 Befriending Agency, for services to tackling loneliness and isolation in older people in Scotland.

Elizabeth Devlin McClurg, a volunteer, gets a BEM for services to wildlife and the community in Merkinch, Inverness-shire.

A BEM goes to Alison Bunce, founder of Compassionate Inverclyde, for services to the community.

Ian Francis Gibb, a volunteer, gets the BEM for services to the community in Earlston, Roxburghshire.

Mavis Margaret Paterson gets a BEM for services to charitable fundraising in Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The King’s New Year’s Honours list recognises exceptional individuals – from unsung heroes to well-known names. Each recipient is worthy of their award and has made a significant difference to their community or excelled in their field.

“These honours celebrate the best of Scotland’s courageous spirit and sense of community. Congratulations and my personal thanks to every worthy recipient.”