Hamilton Advertiser

David receives MBE in birthday honours

Recognitio­n for decades of service to military charity

- Stefanie Mccourt

A Strathaven man who has dedicated five decades of service to a military charity is celebratin­g this week after being awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

David Mcallister was inspired to help SSAFA – the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Associatio­n – as a young man when his father, George, volunteere­d his own time.

George served in the Royal Navy, and David was keen to support the work of the armed forces charity with him, becoming more and more involved over the years.

David (73) has been chairman of the Lanark-based Lanarkshir­e branch since 2002, and in 2013, was also appointed chairman of the SSAFA Scottish Resources Committee.

SSAFA offers anyone currently serving or who has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, and their families, a wide range of practical, emotional and financial support.

The Lanarkshir­e branch has a team of 16 volunteers, who support more than 200 veterans a year.

David, a widow after his wife, Faye, passed away 10 years ago, will be marking his achievemen­t with family and friends, including his daughters Fiona and Suzanne, their partners Kenneth and Neil, and his grandchild­ren Alice, Harry, Thomas and Lily.

He said: “I’ve been involved with SSAFA since way back when my father was, in the 1960s. He was in the Royal Navy during the last war.

“I did it with him but I had to stop because of work, so when I retired about 16 years ago I started to do more.

“I’ve been chairman of the Lanarkshir­e branch for about 15 years or so, and I’m now also the chairman of the SSAFA Scottish Resources Committee.

“The award came as a big surprise. The letter came through one Saturday morning about six weeks ago. I had absolutely no idea I had even been nominated and you could have knocked me down when I read about it.”

A statement issued by the Scotland Office praised David, saying: “He has shown outstandin­g leadership and organisati­onal skills combined with great compassion and total dedication in key roles for more than 50 years of voluntary charitable work.

“His qualities, deployed to telling effect with SSAFA and the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland, have also been apparent in his work as a highly successful Sunday School Superinten­dent and organiser of golf competitio­ns supporting several charities.”

 ??  ?? Respected Strathaven man David Mcallister (left) is pictured last year receiving the Prince Michael of Kent Award, from His Royal Highness, the president of SSAFA, at their annual members’meeting
Respected Strathaven man David Mcallister (left) is pictured last year receiving the Prince Michael of Kent Award, from His Royal Highness, the president of SSAFA, at their annual members’meeting

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom