Pensioner who launched foodbanks and college co-founders among Scots honoured

Wilma Milligan from Prestwick is made an MBE for services to charity and food poverty, having supported the creation of foodbanks in nearby Maybole and Ayr following her retirement more than 12 years ago.

Since then, they have provided emergency food to approximately 40,000 people in South Ayrshire, including 10,000 children. She also contributes to the Carrick Community Food Garden, which supports job training and recovery for young people and former drug users.

The 74 year-old told The Scotsman: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked to be honest, and I just feel like a fraud - there are so many folk who have done more deserving things than me.

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“I get a buzz out of handing stuff when you see folk arriving who don’t have anything to eat that night. When you know they’ve helped them, it’s the biggest buzz you can ever get.”

She added: “I’ll accept this honour on behalf of carers and volunteers, because they are the unsung heroes. It’s all about my colleagues, and I can’t thank the kind folk who support the foodbanks enough.”

Roland Engebretson and Rebecca Lindsay, co-founders and directors of Macaulay College, which addresses a critical gap in post-school opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs on the Isle of Lewis, are also among 114 people from Scotland on the list, having been recognised with MBEs.

The unique social enterprise was established in 2010 with a vision of creating a safe, meaningful, and empowering environment where individuals could continue learning, growing, and contributing to their community.

Mr Engebretson, 44, said: “I was really shocked, it’s very unexpected to receive this. It feels like we have been quietly working away and it’s taken a huge number of people to help over the years.

“We started off with one student coming for a day a week, then it was two students, and it took a long time to build up. We had to prove ourselves and what we were doing, and we were very lucky in that a few people saw what we were trying to do, and took a gamble on us.

“It has snowballed year on year, and it feels as if we are finally established. We’re no longer operating out of an ancient portacabin, and we have a beautiful new building to operate out of.”

Others Scots recognised in the list include: Louise Gough from Lasswade in Midlothian, who is awarded the British Empire Medal, having served as a foster carer for over 28 years, providing hope and opportunity for 63 children; David Laing, 82, from Roxburgh, who is awarded an MBE for what the Cabinet Office described as a “profound and lasting impact” on disability and community sport; and Philip Ashmole, a 91 year-old recognised with an MBE for his lifelong dedication to environmental restoration in the Scottish Borders.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "This year's honours list celebrates the very best of Britain - people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.”