Meet the four Aberdonians who are heading to Buckingham Palace to be honoured by The Queen.
“It’s so humbling – you don’t do this to gain awards. You do it to make a difference and to help people.”
When Patricia Straughen left her 20-year career in the oil industry, she had no idea what she would next achieve.
Fifteen years on, she has helped spearhead two of the biggest charitable projects in north-east history – and has now been made an OBE.
When Mrs Straughen left Mobil oil in 2000 she was approached by Sir Moir Lockhead, chairman of the ARCHIE Foundation, to help with its massive campaign to build a new children’s hospital in Aberdeen.
“For me it was about applying my business skills in a charity run with passion,” she explained.
“People in the north-east are so, so generous and when you have support like that, it’s incredible what you can achieve.”
ARCHIE’s initial target was £3million, but the appeal raised £2million more.
When it came to building a new Maggie’s Centre in Aberdeen, Mrs Straughen was an obvious choice to assist.
The appeal raised more than £4million for cancer patients across the north-east and the treasured facility opened in 2013 to give people support in their time of need.
Today, Mrs Straughen provides invaluable support and advice to other charities embarking on projects, and is a patron of both the ARCHIE Foundation and the Maggie’s Centre.
She has now been made an OBE for her services to charity and cancer care in the north-east.
“It’s so humbling – you don’t do this to gain awards. You do it to make a difference and to help people,” she said.
“I have lots and lots of lovely memories and stories from everything I have done, and have met lots of wonderful people. I am so grateful to them for what they have achieved.
“To be awarded this is indescribable, particularly for projects which make a huge difference to so many people across the north-east.”
“I really couldn’t have done this without the other trust members and the people who support us.”
A retired firefighter who has helped keep the history of the north-east fire service alive has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours.
Patricia StraughenMaurice DoidMaurice Did is a founding member of the North East Scotland Fire Heritage Trust, a group set up to raise funds to purchase and now maintain a 1915 Dennis fire engine.
The 67-year-old said he only wanted to be secretary when the trust was set up in 2001, and to play a “background” role after retiring from the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service.
But very soon he was at the forefront of every event, and has played an integral role in making the “living museum” the great success it has now become.
“I don’t have the word no in my vocabulary,” said Mr Dodd, who lives in Bucksburn.
The trust attends countless remembrance services and open days across the country each year in full fire service regalia, performing ceremonial duties on behalf of the service.
The fire engine, which is stored at the North Anderson Drive station, has been immaculately restored and could even be used by crews today if in desperate need.
Mr Dodd has been made an MBE for the important role he has played since his retirement and for his outstanding contribution to the service throughout his career.
He stepped down from his role with the trust in the summer, saying it was the “right time”.
He said he had somehow managed to keep his award secret from his family for weeks.
“I am overwhelmed to say the least and certainly honoured,” he said.
“But I really couldn’t have done this without the other trust members and the people who support us.
“Our biggest challenge is now getting younger members involved and keeping the trust going.
“We hope it goes on and on.”
“I had to get my daughters to look at the letter, and they said ‘it’s real mum, it’s real’.”
An Aberdeen woman who has dedicated her life to helping people with disabilities become sporting stars has been made an MBE.
Pam Gallant “couldn’t believe it” when she received her letter from Clarence House earlier this year – and had to read it “20 times” before the news sunk in.
The 71-year-old has spent more than 20 years volunteering with disability sport in the city after her son Maurice, who has cerebral palsy, wanted to take up swimming.
Earlier this year Mrs Gallant retired from leading Torry’s Phoenix Club, which supports people with learning difficulties, following a long but “extremely rewarding” 25-year service.
She has also given up her time for countless other ventures, including coaching a swimming group at Kincorth, sitting as a committee member with Aberdeen Disability Sport and Special Olympics Grampian, volunteering with the Doric Dolphins swimming club and helping at a boccia club – a wheelchair game of jacks involving balls.
She acted as fundraiser and team manager at competitions, boccia referee, transport co-ordinator and escort for weekly sessions.
In 2012, her efforts were nationally recognised when she got to parade the Paralympic Torch at Pittodrie.
She has also clinched several local awards and has won the hearts of the people she has nurtured.
Mrs Gallant, who is partially sighted herself, said it was the right time to step down from The Phoenix Club this year, and that she could not have asked for a better reward than being recognised by the Queen.
But she insisted she was just a “normal person” who did not deserve such praise.
“I just thought ‘there’s no way I can get this’,” she said.
“I had to get my daughters to look at the letter, and they said ‘it’s real mum, it’s real’.
“It’s such a big honour – you say to yourself ‘I’m an ordinary person’, but I just kept on going and going. I carried on until I thought it was the right time to move on.
“I feel so humble.”
North-east entrepreneur Amanda Boyle has also been made an OBE for her services to business.
Ms Boyle is founder of crowdfunding venture, Bloom VC, which she started up to fill a funding gap for startups, early stage businesses, communities, and art and culture.
Among previous projects supported include the Fishwives Choir, which included members from Moray.
Choir founder Jane Dolby lost her husband at sea, and had gained invaluable support from The Fisherman’s Mission Charity.
Wanting to give something back, she raised funding through Bloom VC to produce a single, with all sales going to the charity.
Ms Boyle, of Aberdeen, has also served as non-executive chairwoman of Scottish Enterprise, and has been recognised with two Institute of Directors awards and by the Association of Scottish Businesswomen.