
MSP and Linda Norgrove's parents recognised in honours list
John and Lorna Norgrove are both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland.
They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation, which funds education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan, in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker who was kidnapped by the Taliban and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010.
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Recently it worked with both the Scottish and UK Governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland to train to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their university studies in Afghanistan.
The couple said: 'We are honoured to have received this recognition of the work being carried out by the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
'We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal – to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan.
'We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.'
Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy has also been made an MBE for political and public service.
She has been MSP for the Glasgow region since May 2021 and is the first permanent wheelchair user elected to the Scottish Parliament.
She said: 'I'm really, really proud to have been given this honour for the work that I've done in the community and for disability rights.
'It's a real honour to do this. When I got elected as an MSP, I said I was a wee working class woman in a wheelchair.
'To think that I could be a wee working class woman in a wheelchair who's also got an MBE, I just thought that was pretty special.'
Nationwide's chief executive Debbie Crosbie, who becomes a dame, and the Scottish boss of Greggs, Roisin Currie, are also among those honoured.
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Historian Alistair Moffat, 74, who founded the Borders Book Festival and was a key figure in the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in 2010, is also recognised in the list. He becomes an MBE in recognition of services to literature and culture.
Others Scots recognised include Charles Pelling, manager of the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, and social media influencer Zahrah Mahmood, also known as the Hillwalking Hijabi.
Recently retired Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie has been awarded the King's Police Medal (KPM), while the force's chief officer of human resources, Nicky Page, becomes an MBE for services to policing, equality and health.
Jenna Speirs, and her parents Caroline and Duncan Speirs, have each been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for the work they have done with the charity they started after Jenna's twin brother Calum died of cancer aged 12.
The King's Fire Service Medal is awarded to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's volunteer leader Gerry Ralston, and watch commander John Aitchison.
Sarah Stevenson, Scottish Ambulance Service corporate risk manager, receives the King's Ambulance Service Medal.
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