Wheelchair curler receives the MBE
CHRIS MARZELLA
A Buchlyvie woman has been awarded an MBE for her services to wheelchair curling.
Judy Mackenzie, who has been involved in the sport as a coach or player for 51 years, was “overwhelmed” after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
She has also volunteered in a number of different capacities including event organisation and delivery, statistician, charity fundraising through curling, and numerous committee roles.
Judy was instrumental in the establishment of wheelchair curling in Scotland and has been actively involved since the sport was introduced in 1999. She has played a key role in attracting new disabled people into the sport and helping them to develop as individual curlers playing in clubs and right up to playing in the GB Paralympic teams.
Over the years she has also been involved with Buchlyvie Curling Club and West Stirlingshire Ladies Curling Club.
She is still takes part in coaching wheelchair curlers in sessions due to restart in September, at Stirling’s PEAK leisure centre.
Following the announcement she is to receive the MBE, Judy said: “I was a bit overwhelmed when I received the letter telling me about the honour.
“It has been lovely receiving the messages I have since it was announced. for charitable causes and many raffles, dinners and other activities.
A spokesperson for Scottish Curling said: “Judy represents truly how volunteering can benefit sport and society.
“She is modest, dedicated and passionate about developing curling, particularly wheelchair curling and seeks nothing in return.
“To this day, Judy continues to play a pivotal role in developing and improving curling opportunities, pathways, programmes and events.
In March of this year, The PEAK and Stirling hosted the World Wheelchair Curling Championships.
Stirling Wheelchair Curling Club is based at The PEAK and has sessions every Wednesday from early September through to the end of March.
* Among the other Stirling area people mention in the latest honours list was Jean Sheila Whimster, Blanefield, secretary of the Glasgow Society of Women Artists, who received an MBE for services to the proimotion of women in art.
I can’t believe I have received this for just doing things that I have enjoyed, in a sport that I love