Oban racer’s drive to make a difference sees her recognised in New Year’s honours list
ALMOST 1,200 people received an award in this year’s New Year Honours list, including Oban’s Susie Wolff, writes David McPhee.
The honours recognise the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the UK.
This year’s list includes famous faces such as Andy Murray and Mo Farah, who both received knighthoods for their services in their respective sports, as well as Victoria Beckham who received an OBE for her contribution to fashion.
Oban’s Susie received an MBE for her services to women in sport. The 34-year- old racing driver retired from the sport last year, however, not before she established a Dare to be Different initiative, which aims to increase female participation in all areas of racing.
She said: ‘I am humbled to receive an MBE in recognition of my service to women in sport.
‘Like any female competitor, I simply aspired to compete on a level playing field and was able to chase that dream thanks to the never- ending support of my family and all those who backed me along the way.
‘This is a recognition of their efforts as much as my own. Now my focus is on passing that support and belief to the next generations of young women who dare to be different in chasing their motorsport dreams.’
Three women from Argyll were honoured with a BEM.
Margaret Ann Worsley from Tiree received the honour for her voluntary service to the community of the island.
Sheila McCallum from Lochgilphead also received a BEM for her service to music in Mid Argyll, as did Marjory Mackenzie Jagger, the manager of Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers Service, for her service to young people and the community in the Inner Hebrides.
John Campbell of Glenrath Farms, who is originally from Strachur, received a knighthood for his services to farming and charitable service to entrepreneurship.