People who made exceptional contributions to society during the coronavirus pandemic have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
The majority of the honours list was compiled before the pandemic but was deferred to consider nominations for people who played crucial roles during the first months of efforts to tackle Covid-19.
It has prioritised frontline and community heroes who went above and beyond their duties to help others.
The list, which was published on Friday, also features TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and curler Eve Muirhead, as well as footballer Marcus Rashford and Body Coach Joe Wicks, who have both been awarded MBEs.
Mary Berry, who was made a CBE in 2012, is being made a dame for services to broadcasting, the culinary arts and charity, while Sir David Attenborough receives an upgrade to Knight Grand Cross in the diplomatic list for services to broadcasting and conservation.
Among the Scottish community heroes recognised for their contribution during the pandemic is David Maguire from Glasgow, who has been awarded an MBE.
He repurposed his restaurant near the city’s Gartnavel Hospital to provide free food to thousands of NHS workers, vulnerable people and school children.
The 62-year-old said: “I feel pretty overwhelmed. It took me by surprise and I’m really pleased for everybody in the organisation that I am associated with.
“It was a reflection of what we all managed to do.”
Alison Williams, a nurse who helped patients dying with coronavirus speak with their families for the last time, will also receive the same medal for services to the NHS, charitable fundraising and volunteering during the pandemic.
The 41-year-old research nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary set up her Rainbow Boxes charity at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, after noticing many patients who arrived had no way of contacting loved ones.
Through social media she raised tens of thousands of pounds to provide essentials to people who found themselves suddenly in hospital with Covid-19.
Commenting on the medal, she said: “I felt very emotional and overwhelmed. It felt very special because it’s been a really hard time for everybody.”
The former owners of Bowhouse Newsagents in Grangemouth have received British Empire Medals.
Ghulam Farid and Shagufta Shamim ran the shop for more than 20 years and recently retired, handing over the reins of the business.
STV NewsHowever during the pandemic the pair helped local NHS staff and care home workers source PPE equipment and also made sure they had essential food items.
They also made up and delivered care packages to the elderly and vulnerable who were shielding.
The pair said: “Receiving the BEM has left us shocked. It was such pleasant news to receive and we could not believe it when we got the email.
“We thought it was spam. After much research we realised we had been nominated and it was a genuine email. It is a great honour to be recognised by The Crown for our hard work and I hope this will encourage others to always be helpful.
“This is certainly going to set the bar in our family. A great story to tell our grandchildren one day.”
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