Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Armed forces volunteers honoured with ‘MBE’
Lady Haughey will hand over royal accolade later in year
£6750. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “The UK Government is doing everything we can to protect jobs and businesses in Scotland and across the UK. Our unprecedented job retention and self-employment support schemes have supported the livelihoods of millions and will help ensure our recovery is as swift as possible.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack added:“So far, nearly 800,000 jobs across Scotland have been saved by direct UK Government coronavirus support.
“People and businesses in Scotland have also benefited from UK-wide schemes such as VAT deferral, company loans and Universal Credit.
“In addition, the Scottish Government has been allocated an extra £3.8 billion in coronavirus funding through the Barnett Formula.
“The UK Government is doing whatever it takes to get Scotland, and the whole of the UK, through the coronavirus pandemic and ensure our economy can get back on track.
“This unprecedented package of UK Government support is protecting Scottish jobs and businesses, and will ensure that Scotland’s economy can recover for the future.”
Armed forces organisation SSAFA Lanarkshire has been honoured for its work with the prestigious Queen’s award for voluntary service (QAVS) – described as the “MBE for community groups”.
The local branch of the charity, which supports serving and former members of the forces and their families, was among 21 Scottish groups to be recognised this year with the royal accolade, which is the highest honour available to volunteer organisations in the UK.
Its volunteers across the county have secured more than £2.2 million in grants from service funds and charities during the past decade to help veterans and service personnel, assisting more than 1700 individuals and their families in that time.
Representatives of SSAFA Lanarkshire are due receive the award from lord lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey later this year, while two of its volunteers will be invited to attend a royal garden party at Holyrood next summer.
They are also featuring on a podcast run by Volunteer Scotland, along with the other recipient organisations, to acknowledge their achievement and speak about their work.
David McAllister has been the chairman of SSAFA Lanarkshire for 18 years, and was appointed MBE for his volunteer work with the organisation in the Queen’s birthday honours three years ago.
He was delighted to hear about the group’s QAVS honour and said: “I’m really thrilled at this great achievement, recognising the amazing work done by my team of true volunteers.
“It’s also a wonderful honour for Lanarkshire to be regarded in such a manner.”
Lanarkshire lord lieutenant Lady Haughey added: “I am absolutely delighted that the group’s work has been recognised in this way.
“With no paid staff, this small group of committed and well-trained volunteers work with exceptional energy, enthusiasm, compassion and professionalism – and in so doing, make a real, positive difference to the quality of life of individuals and families who contact them for assistance.
“I very much hope that we will see excellent groups from Lanarkshire nominated for the award in the future.”