Two receive British Empire Medals for tireless volunteering work
TWO long-serving volunteers have been rewarded for their many years of service to the community by receiving British Empire Medals today (Monday).
Kathleen Stout, who is a lunch club volunteer with the Royal Voluntary Service, and Andrew Nisbet – who has volunteered for the community in Yell for over 40 years – were recognised in the King’s new years honours list in late December 2024.
They were presented with their medals at Lerwick Town Hall today by Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch, accompanied by council convener Andrea Manson.
Both the medal recipients’ families were also there to witness the ceremony.
Nisbet told Shetland News in December he had been volunteering in Yell since 1980, including helping with local Up-Helly-Aa celebrations and the hall committee.
He said he “felt a bit embarrassed initially” after being told of the award.
“It just said that I had been recommended to go on the honours list, so I thought the King could have decided at the last minute not to give me one,” Nisbet said.
“It’s fine to be recognised.”
He said his decades of volunteering in Yell, including with the Cullivoe marina committee, were “definitely not for recognition”.
“I’d never even thought about this before,” he said.
“It’s nice to be appreciated.”
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