Stephen receives his MBE at last!

An NHS Lothian staff member has received his MBE at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for his voluntary work with mountain rescue teams.

Stephen Penny, 61, has worked with NHS Lothian as a training advisor and lead for volunteer responders within the Lifelines team at the Rivers Centre since 2021. Lifelines helps support the physical and mental wellbeing of volunteer and emergency responders.

Stephen, who is married to Sarah and is a dad of three, lives in the Scottish Borders and has been a mountain rescue volunteer for over 30 years with Scottish Mountain Rescue and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

Stephen said: “You can’t volunteer as a responder without the support of your family and at yesterday’s MBE investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Sarah was beside me all the way through – just like over the years of volunteering. 

“I grew up in a rural area and it’s always been important for me to give something to my community. I was inspired to join mountain rescue after meeting some volunteers at an emergency services open day. 

“My greatest sense of achievement comes from knowing you’ve helped someone in their time of need. I’ve found that the skills you learn from being a mountain rescue volunteer also have a lot of value in other aspects of your life, including in your day job.”

Stephen was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2019 but, due to pandemic restrictions, was not able to receive this until now.

Sixty years before, in 1959, Stephen’s grandfather received an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts during and after World War Two, as well as his voluntary work as a special constable.

Stephen said: “Community was really important to my dad and grandfather, and they instilled this in me. It was an honour to be given an MBE, especially sixty years after my grandfather received his.”

Gill Moreton, Lifelines lead for NHS Lothian, said: “Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge to his role at Lifelines, including his lengthy and extensive volunteering experience with mountain rescue. The Lifelines and Rivers teams are delighted for Stephen as he finally receives his MBE.”