A long-standing local volunteer and a cancer survivor who has raised over £1m for Maggie’s have been presented with the British Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh.
Lisa Ann Stephenson, a former executive director for Lloyds TSB, was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2011. Ever since, she has made it her mission to support the Maggie’s Centre at the Western General Scotland while fighting her own cancer, and receives the honour on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen for services to charity.
Lisa has been recognised for utilising her business skills, compassion for others and drive to found Lisa’s Challenge for Maggie’s and start a ‘Buy a Brick’campaign, which has supported funding for a new extension at Maggie’s Edinburgh Cancer Centre. Once open, the centre will improve the experience and support for thousands of people affected by cancer.
Ronald Scott Smith, a carpentry teacher at Harmeny School and skipper for the Seagull Trust, is recognised for voluntary service to the community in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Helping pupils to make wooden crafts and toys, Ronald has supported over 500 pupils in his 30 years as a carpenter at Harmeny, a school in Balerno where children have complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. He has also recently started volunteering for the Treehouse After School Club in Juniper Green, and continues provide free canal trips for people with disabilities and special needs as a once a week skipper with the Seagull Trust.
Lord Lieutenant Frank Ross said: “These exceptional citizens have dedicated much of their time to driving and delivering help for others in their communities. The sheer passion Lisa and Ronald bring to their fundraising and community volunteering is unmatched, and their combined efforts to help the people of Edinburgh is inspiring.
“Between them, this dedicated duo have helped to support hundreds of the city’s most vulnerable children and cancer patients through their endeavours. It really is my honour and privilege to present them with the British Empire Medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.”
The British Empire Medal is awarded for a sustained, local contribution of innovative, high-impact work worthy of recognition by the Crown. Awarded from 1922 until 1992, it was brought back in June 2012 in celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
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