Latest news with #CarnegieMedal
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Enterprise Vet says saving elderly neighbor from house fire was instinct: ‘I'm not a hero'
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — After receiving a key to the city of Enterprise three years ago, more awards have come in for an Army veteran, who received a Carnegie Medal for saving his neighbor in a burning house in 2022. 'I'd never expected to receive anything remotely close to a national award. I just thought it was the right thing to do, I never expected it to reach this point,' said Marvin Pinckney Pinckney sprang into action to save his elderly neighbor, Mary Griffin, and her caretaker, Angie Byrd. After returning from a motorcycle ride, Pinckney noticed smoke coming from the Griffins' home on Bellwood Road, so he instructed his wife to call 911. While waiting, he decided to go to his neighbor's house to inform them that the house is on fire and that they need to get out. Enterprise vet honored with national award for saving neighbor from burning home 'When I entered the house, they were like What's going on? Where? In the garage, and what made them think it was on fire, the lights went out, and the alarm started blaring, and my only thoughts were to get us out of that situation,' said Pinckney That's when Pinckney was able to lift Griffin, who was strapped into a wheelchair, to push her through a window along with her caretaker with the help of Pinckney's wife and other neighbors before fire and rescue showed up to fight the blaze. While Pinckney did put his own life at risk, he says it was a no-brainer to leap into action, especially after serving in the military for 30 years. 'We are expected to put our lives on the line for our fellow man, and just being a decent person, knowing they were elderly. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing they perished,' said Pinckney. Pinckney says Griffin was beyond thankful for saving her life and always showed her appreciation. He often went to visit her after the fire, took her some oatmeal cookies because that's what she liked, and every time they sat with her, it was a big kiss and a thank you. He says he wants to thank the city of Enterprise and the Carnegie Foundation for this honor. 'I'm not a hero, just someone who wanted to help the fellow man,' said Pinckney. The Carnegie Medal, awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, is given to citizens who demonstrate bravery while saving another. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs fans pay tribute to Sir Tom Farmer as funeral cortege passes Easter Road
Hibs fans turned out in their numbers to pay tribute to former club owner Sir Tom Farmer as his coffin passed Easter Road Stadium this afternoon following a private family funeral. The Edinburgh businessman died peacefully at his home earlier this month at the age of 84. Sir Tom built Kwik Fit into the world's biggest independent tyre and automotive chain before selling it to Ford in 1999. His philanthropic work saw him awarded the Carnegie Medal and he became a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, an honour bestowed by the Pope, in 1997. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to the automotive industry and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009 for his charitable work. Hibs fans waiting on Sir Tom Farmer's funeral cortege Sir Tom saved Hibs from a hostile takeover in 1990 and owned a majority stake in the club for 28-years before selling to Ron Gordon. Responsible for the transformation of the stadium from a crumbling old football ground into the magnificent arena of today, he also saw two League Cup wins in 1991 and 2007 and the Scottish cup triumph in 2016. Roy Campbell, a Hibs fans of 60-plus years said: 'He was a great man who saved this club.' Another fan said: 'I can bring my grandson here now thanks to him. Because otherwise Hibs were finished. They were in receivership. They'd had a hostile bid before that and Tom Farmer stepped in and saved them which is great. 'Plus he was a good man. He was staunch in the Roman Catholic church and did a lot there. Another added: 'He supported lots of charities, Quite a ot of people l know tell me he did this and that but he never wanted publicity. It was all done for the good of the community. 'I think he was a very very community minded fellow and anybody from Leith loved the guy. 'A Leither made good is better than anything else. He was a great guy who will be sorely missed.' Another added: 'He's been in my taxi a few times and I also saw him at St Mary's Star of the Sea, down in Leith, the chapel there in years gone by. He was a great man, a great person.' Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hibs fans pay tribute to ex-owner Sir Tom Farmer
Hundreds of Hibernian fans paid tribute to Kwik Fit founder and former club owner Sir Tom Farmer as his coffin passed Easter Road Stadium. The Edinburgh-born businessman died peacefully at his home in the city earlier this month at the age of 84. Sir Tom owned a majority stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years and built Kwik Fit into the world's biggest independent tyre and automotive chain before selling it to Ford for £1bn in 1999. Following a private family funeral the cortege drove past Hibernian's stadium and through the streets of Sir Tom's native Leith. Sir Tom was born in Leith in 1940 and first opened a tyre business in 1964. He started Kwik Fit in 1971, eventually operating in more than 2,000 locations in 18 countries. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to the automotive industry and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009 for his charitable work. Sir Tom's philanthropic work saw him awarded the Carnegie Medal and he became a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, an honour bestowed by the Pope, in 1997. Hibs supporter Jean Campbell said: "As a lifelong Hibs fan I was here when the Hands off Hibs campaign was on and it was a very difficult time for the club. "Sir Tom Farmer came in and basically helped us at a really, really difficult time. "He didn't have to do that, he's not a football man, but he's a proud Leither and I believe he did it for the community." Fellow fan Beth Donaldson said: "I came along because we owe him an awful lot for what he did for the club."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Enterprise vet honored with national award for saving neighbor from burning home
ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN) — An Enterprise veteran has been presented with a national honor for rushing into a house fire and saving his wheelchair-bound neighbor in 2022. The Enterprise City Council bestowed Marvin Pinckney with the Carnegie Medal for his 'extraordinary act of heroism' during the council meeting Tuesday night. City officials say Pinckney was working in his garage on Bellwood Road when he saw flames coming from a neighbor's home, and immediately jumped into action. Pinckney called 911 before rushing into the burning home to save the homeowner, Mary Griffin, and her caregiver. Pickney was able to move a bed to make room so he could move Griffin's wheelchair, and with the help of another neighbor, both women escaped through a window. 'Mr. Pinckney, your courage and quick thinking made a tremendous difference that day,' said Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper. 'Your selfless actions are truly inspiring.' Dothan brothers lose family home in devastating fire The city says that when Pickney accepted the national award, he responded, 'I am not a hero. I am an everyday American who saw someone who needed help. I would do it again.' Previously, Pinckney, a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major, received a key to the city. The Carnegie Medal is given to citizens who demonstrate bravery while saving another. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kwik Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer dies aged 84
The founder of the Kwik Fit garage chain, Sir Tom Farmer, has died at the age of 84. The Edinburgh-born businessman died peacefully at his home in the city on Friday, his family said. He built the company into the world's biggest independent tyre and automotive chain, selling it to Ford for £1bn in 1999. Sir Tom owned a majority stake in Hibernian FC for 28 years, selling his interest in the club in 2019. Sir Tom was born in Leith in 1940 and first opened a tyre business in 1964. He started Kwik Fit in 1971, eventually operating in more than 2,000 locations in 18 countries. He was knighted in 1997 for his services to the automotive industry and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2009 for his charitable work. A statement from his family said: "Sir Tom's long and extensive career touched many aspects of Scottish and UK life. "His business career is well documented, as was his commitment to philanthropy, his many public roles and his unwavering support and appreciation for the communities and people that he lived his life within." Sir Tom's philanthropic work saw him awarded the Carnegie Medal and he became a Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, an honour bestowed by the Pope, in 1997. "Sir Tom's Roman Catholic faith was present throughout all areas of his life. He attended mass weekly in Edinburgh and enjoyed the friendship and company of many people with the Catholic community both here in Scotland and further afield," his family said. "Sir Tom will be remembered by many for his deep commitment to his family, his work and his faith and for being at all times a proud Scotsman," they added. A statement from Hibernian on the social media platform X said: "Hibernian FC are devastated to hear of the passing of former owner Sir Tom Farmer, aged 84. "Thank you for everything, Tom. Rest in peace." Sir Tom Farmer to get Edinburgh Award
