Annan businessman and prolific fundraiser Hardip Atwal, pictured above, is to get a British Empire Medal (BEM).
He is being recognised for his charitable service, which has included raising thousands of pounds for the Care of Police Survivors charity, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, Bloodbikes and Sands.
Delighted, he said: “It was a lovely surprise – I’m bursting with pride!”
Debrah Murdoch, of Balmaclellan, is also being recognised with a BEM for services to her community during the pandemic.
The shopkeeper enlisted herself, her wider family, and even the local postman to deliver food and essential supplies to the most vulnerable members of the community.
She said: “Receiving the award makes you feel very special and appreciated- it’s lovely, very exciting.”
Finally, there’s a BEM too for Stewart Parsons, the director of the region’s Get it Loud in Libraries organisation (GILIL), for services to the music and library sectors.
He set up the award winning GILIL project to give people who love music the chance to see top-notch artists in their local library and has delivered high quality gigs in libraries in towns and cities all over the UK, featuring breakthrough and established artists, including Adele, Jessie J, Kate Tempest, Meilyr Jones and many more.
Stewart said: “I’m utterly delighted really: it came out of the blue and it’s just vindication really for 16 years of hard work.”
