Latest news with #King'sHonours
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish duo help 200,000 children annually with surgery network
Scottish charity leaders recognised in King's Honours for life-saving work Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A high-profile Scottish husband and wife have been jointly awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours List for their remarkable contribution to children's healthcare across the globe. Garreth and Nicola Wood have been recognised for services to health and charity, particularly surgery for children internationally- a nod to their transformative work through the charity they co-founded, Kids Operating Room. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Founded in 2018, Kids Operating Room is a Scottish-based global health organisation creating permanent paediatric operating rooms in low- and middle-income countries. With projects in more than 40 countries, the charity has helped build capacity for nearly 200,000 life-saving operations annually. Gareth Wood at Kids OR warehouse Professor George G Youngson CBE, Trustee of Kids Operating Room, said: 'The impact that our charity has had on the lives and health of hundreds of thousands of children across the world is a testament to the leadership, commitment and energy shown by our co-founders, Garreth and Nicola Wood. 'Kids Operating Room is delighted that Garreth and Nicola have both been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List 2025, a richly deserved recognition.' As co-founders, Garreth and Nicola have helped guide the charity from an ambitious idea into a globally recognised organisation working to solve a critical and largely hidden global health emergency – the lack of access to safe surgical care for children in low-resource countries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Garreth Wood MBE, Executive Chairman of Kids Operating Room, said: 'From co-founding Kids Operating Room together, to championing causes close to our hearts here in Scotland and around the world, our journey has always been about giving every child a fairer start in life. Nicola wood speaking at Kids OR event "Nicola and I were deeply honoured to each receive an MBE for 'Services to Health and Charity, particularly Surgery for Children internationally'. 'It's humbling to be recognised in this way, and even more special to share this moment side-by-side with Nicola." Kids Operating Room invests in building local capacity for paediatric surgery by installing state-of-the-art surgical infrastructure, providing training and equipment to local teams, and pioneering the use of solar-powered operating rooms to combat unreliable power supply in remote regions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the past seven years, the charity has installed close to 100 paediatric operating rooms across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Its innovative solar surgery systems have been deployed in over 200 hospitals, allowing uninterrupted life-saving operations even during blackouts. Gareth and Nicola Wood being awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours List It recently installed solar panels at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya to avoid disastrous power outages that resulted in the hospital only able to use one theatre, causing huge back logs. Nicola Wood MBE, Co-founder and Trustee, said: 'We're so incredibly grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey. The dedication, passion and belief of our colleagues around the world, who are working tirelessly to build a fairer world for children, inspires us every day. 'These awards are a tribute to the entire team at Kids Operating Room. We are more motivated than ever to keep going.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kids Operating Room achievements include preventing more than 11 million years of disability and generating over $20 billion of economic benefit for partner countries. The charity's long-term vision is to become redundant – a world where every nation has the infrastructure and expertise to care for its children without relying on external aid. David Cunningham, CEO of Kids Operating Room said: 'I cannot think of two more worthy recipients of an honour. Each and every day, both Garreth and Nicola transform the lives of children around the world. 'It takes tremendous generosity to work so tirelessly to make the lives of complete strangers so significantly better. Everyone at Kids Operating Room is extremely proud to be part of their team and of the work they have inspired and continue to lead with such energy and enthusiasm.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kids Operating Room has ambitious plans to scale further. In 2019, it pledged to install 100 operating rooms by 2030. That goal was met four and a half years early. Now, the charity is doubling down with a new pledge to install another 100 rooms by the end of 2030. Despite ongoing challenges in the global funding landscape, the charity continues to grow. Garreth and Nicola have personally pledged to underwrite core running costs for the next six years, helping ensure that every external donation goes directly to front-line projects. With headquarters in Edinburgh and a Global Operations Centre in Dundee, Kids Operating Room continues to punch well above its weight on the world stage. The charity remains a shining example of Scottish innovation and global solidarity in healthcare.
Edinburgh Reporter
14-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
King's Birthday Honours – council employee with four decades of service honoured
The Lord Provost said he was particularly pleased to note that Frank Donoghue who led the team at the City Chambers until his recent retirement, was one of the recipients in the King's Birthday Honours. Mr Donoghue received the British Empire Medal to recognise his four decades of working with The City of Edinburgh Council, and his role in Operation Unicorn after Her late Majesty died in 2022. The Lord Provost said: 'Congratulations to all those who have been recognised in this year's King's Honours, whose achievements and service to the public have made such an impact. 'Our very own Frank Donoghue is a most deserved recipient. He demonstrated nothing but hard work and dedication to the city during his 44 years in service. From his original role in the then Lothian Regional Council to his retirement last year he went the extra mile to help keep the Council running. 'His varied career has taken in roles in caretaking, support services and building management, and I know that one of his more recent positions, helping to deliver Operation Unicorn following the Queen's passing, was one of his proudest moments. 'A well-loved and loyal colleague throughout his time here, Frank has provided support to councillors, officers and members of the public, and I'm personally grateful for his commitment. Thanks to Frank for his service to the city and congratulations for this well-earned accolade.' Frank Donoghue left at his retirement party with the Lord Provost Like this: Like Related
Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Does David Beckham deserve a knighthood?
David Beckham has been knighted in the King's birthday honours this year. The ex-England and Manchester United footballer has become increasingly close to the royals since becoming a King's Foundation ambassador last year. However, the decision, which has ended years of near misses and disappointments, has proven to be contentious. According to an exclusive poll carried out by The Telegraph, the vote is split with 53 per cent of over 36,000 respondents deeming Beckham deserving of a knighthood. For many, such as reader Dan Errington, the knighthood is a well-deserved accolade. 'He deserves it for being an impeccable role model for young up-and-coming footballers, especially considering he came from an east London area that was quite deprived.' Classic 'tall poppy' Roger Grant considered it a 'disgrace' that Beckham has not been knighted before now. 'He was a proud captain of the England football team and a credit to the game. He has been an untiring and often unpublicised supporter of charities and individuals in need. He has been the classic 'tall poppy' that the naysayers want to cut down to size,' he wrote. A considerable number of readers also shared their admiration for how Beckham patiently waited in line with the public to pay his respects to Elizabeth II during her lying in state in Westminster Hall. 'Just one example of his humility and respect', remarked Alex Erwing, adding: 'He's always represented his country with passion, dignity and grace.' For Shirmel Duggins, she would choose Beckham 'any day to receive a knighthood over Sadiq Khan, who is hell-bent on destroying our beloved London'. 'Beckham loves his country and does great work – ask yourself this, what has Khan done for our country lately?' 'Only true heroes should be knighted' However, 47 per cent of respondents to the Telegraph poll voted that Beckham does not deserve a knighthood, with many joining Catherine Pepinster in questioning the very concept of the honours system. Writing for The Telegraph, the author and historian wrote: 'This system is now so broken that the people who truly deserve recognition – the volunteers on whom Britain relies to give their time and skills for free – receive the lowlier gongs if any mention at all.' Reader Philippa Keith concurred: 'A rich and famous person getting awarded for being rich and famous is not really an honour.' Meanwhile, Michael Lee, in his late 70s, bemoaned how he 'never gets a mention'. He shared: 'I live in one of the most deprived areas of the UK. Forty-five years ago I started a business, labour-intensive, and have provided jobs to thousands with some still with me from the early days. I now have a multi-million-pound turnover. 'I've paid my taxes, never sucked up to politicians. Just plodded on, still working. There are plenty like me.' Others readers, like Vicki Lester, criticised the former England captain's seeming self-entitlement when it comes to receiving a prestigious knighthood. 'There has been so much fuss about Beckham allegedly being desperate to get it – and kicking off when he didn't – that it is not now arriving as a lovely 'what a delightful surprise' moment at all,' she wrote.
Press and Journal
14-06-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Turriff's Jim Glennie, 99-year-old D-Day hero and Gordon Highlanders legend, awarded BEM
Jim Glennie was one of the first Gordon Highlanders to set foot on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day in 1944. And now, at the age of 99, the Turriff loon, who landed in Normandy more than 80 years ago, has been awarded a BEM in the King's Honours list. Mr Glennie, who volunteered at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen well into his 90s, is the regiment's last surviving member from the Second World War. He and his colleagues had no idea what was waiting for them when they arrived in France, but displayed great courage to help liberate France from the Nazis. As he once recalled with typical understatement: 'You were scared within yourself, but you didn't show it. You didn't know what was going to happen – it was very dodgy.' Major Grenville Irvine-Fortescue MBE, the chairman of the Gordon Highlanders Association, paid a warm tribute to his long-term friend. He said: ''The very special award of a BEM to our D-Day veteran, Jim Glennie, is a wonderful recognition of his devotion and service. 'Apart from his war service with 5th/7th Gordons, he has been a stalwart volunteer for the Gordon Highlanders Museum, a very proud standard bearer for the Royal British Legion and equally proud member of the Aberdeen Branch of the Association. 'I know my Gordon Highlander colleagues and so many others with whom he has worked will be delighted for him and I know he will be immensely proud of receiving this great honour in recognition of his achievements.' Mr Glennie and his colleagues made progress after landing in Normandy, but he and his company were ambushed by Germans while making their way towards Caen. Several were killed or wounded, but the rest managed to take temporary cover in a roadside trench as German Panzer armoured vehicles approached. He said: 'The tank came past and it was just spraying us, but we managed to keep our heads down. 'I remember thinking, 'I don't like this' and I jumped out and ran up the road to try and get them when they came round a bend. 'So I'm standing there, firing my gun and, all of a sudden, I felt shots hit me in my right arm and the gun just dropped out of my hand.' It was the end of his war. After recovering in hospital, Jim was transferred along with hundreds of other POWs to Stalag IV-B in Germany. His first day in the camp was his 19th birthday. Mr Glennie met a former German soldier, Karl Hunnold, at the museum in 2017 and the two men, who had previously been on opposite sides, embraced each other warmly. He said at the time: 'Although we can't speak to each other directly because of the language barrier, we can both understand each other because of what we've been through.' And Mr Hunnold responded: 'I hold the Gordon Highlanders in very high regard in my memory, they treated me very well. 'And I am proud to consider Jim as a friend.' John McLeish, chief executive of the museum, told the Press & Journal: 'Jim's military service is well-documented. Less well known is that this year sees him complete 30 years of volunteering at The Gordon Highlanders Museum. 'This is quite remarkable and the early days saw Jim undertake a wide range of duties to get things ready for us opening. 'Fast forward to today and we are very fortunate to see Jim volunteering as a member of the Tuesday team, week in, week out. 'While exceptionally humble and down to earth, Jim is willing to talk to all visitors – young and old – about his experiences. 'Jim is admired and respected by all his colleagues. Put simply, he is our hero.'
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Toxicologist honoured for research used in Salisbury poisoning
A toxicology expert whose pioneering research was used during the Salisbury nerve agent attack has been appointed made by Prof Rob Chilcott's team at the University of Hertfordshire shaped emergency protocols used in incidents involving toxic chemicals in the UK and developed a dry decontamination system used during the Novichok poisoning case in Chilcott, who retired in 2025, said he was "deeply honoured to receive a King's Honour in recognition of the work my colleagues and I have undertaken". The team, which also included Dr Hazem Matar and Dr Joanne Larner, found that showering casualties while they are still clothed can drive toxic chemicals deeper into the led them to develop the "disrobe and dry" approach, which removes up to 99% of contaminants before any water is used.A large-scale exercise in Rhode Island in the US, dubbed Operation Downpour, proved the new methods were adopted on both sides of the Atlantic, with the Home Office describing the team's work as "fundamental".Prof Chilcott said: "This award reflects the significant international contributions of the University of Hertfordshire's Toxicology Research Group in delivering high-quality, evidence-based scientific support to government departments and agencies." Many other people from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire were recognised in the King's Birthday Honours, including Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, appointed manager of The Hundred, Sanjay Patel, was appointed MBE for services to cricket, while Andrew Love, senior adviser to London hotel The Ritz was appointed OBE, and Paulette Mastin, chair of the Black Solicitors' Network was appointed CBE for services to diversity in legal services. Also appointed MBE is conservationist Dr Helen Read, from 64-year-old is an internationally recognised expert in millipedes and other has been at the forefront of classifying the crawling creatures for nearly 40 years and has also pioneered conservation practices of ancient Read, from Buckinghamshire, played a leading role in establishing the Ancient Tree Forum. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
