Lorraine Kelly honoured by Queen on birthday list alongside a number of Scots for coronavirus pandemic efforts

People who made exceptional contributions to society during the coronavirus pandemic have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and curler Eve Muirhead are among those from other sections of society also honoured in the list, published on Friday.

The majority of the honours list was compiled before the pandemic but was deferred to consider nominations for people who played crucial roles during the first months of efforts to tackle Covid-19.

It has prioritised frontline and community heroes who went above and beyond their duties to help others.

Among those recognised are David Maguire, 62, from Glasgow, who repurposed his restaurant near the city's Gartnavel Hospital to provide free food to thousands of NHS workers, vulnerable people and school children.

When he found out about the honour, Mr Maguire said: "I feel pretty overwhelmed. It took me by surprise and I'm really pleased for everybody in the organisation that I am associated with.

"It was a reflection of what we all managed to do.''

Mr Maguire is made an MBE for services to the community in Glasgow during the Covid-19 response.

Olivia Strong, 27, from Edinburgh, who raised more than £5 million for NHS charities through her Run for Heroes 5km Challenge, said it was "really special'' to given the same honour.

She said the MBE is for all the 1.5 million people inspired to run five kilometres, donate £5 and nominate five friends to do the same through the challenge, and the family and friends who helped set up the campaign.

Margaret Payne, 90, who climbed the height of the 731-metre mountain Suilven on her staircase to raise money for charity receives a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Lochinver, which she said is a "great honour''.

She thanked all those who made donations, which started from £1, with the total now more than £434,000 including gift aid.

"All those little donations have just built up to an enormous sum and it is amazing,'' she said.

Alison Williams, a nurse who helped patients dying with coronavirus speak with their families for the last time, also receives the same medal for services to the NHS, charitable fundraising and volunteering during the pandemic.

The 41-year-old, a research nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, set up her Rainbow Boxes charity at the height of the coronavirus pandemic after noticing many patients who arrived had no way of contacting loved ones.

Through social media she raised tens of thousands of pounds to provide essentials to people who found themselves suddenly in hospital with Covid-19.

Commenting on the medal, she said: "I felt very emotional and overwhelmed. It felt very special because it's been a really hard time for everybody.''

Among those recognised in the non-Covid section of the honours list are Professor Muffy Calder, vice principal and head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Glasgow, who is made a dame for services to research and education.

Presenter Kelly is made a CBE for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity, while Muirhead becomes an MBE for services to curling.

The 30-year-old, a former junior and senior world champion who skipped her team to Olympic bronze in Sochi in 2014, told the PA news agency: "Being a skip comes with a lot of pressure and it's been tough since I missed that shot for a medal in Pyeongchang, so to get something like this at this point in my career feels like a nice cherry on the top.

"I've been curling for the majority of my life and I've put a lot of time and effort into getting where I am today in the sport, so although I'm very modest about these things it is definitely very nice to be recognised.''

Others honoured include Professor David John Webb, Christison professor of therapeutics and clinical pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh, who is made a CBE for services to clinical pharmacology research and education.

Ian Beattie, chairman of Scottish Athletics, is made an MBE for services to the sport.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Queen's Birthday Honours highlight the exceptional contribution of the people of Scotland whose outstanding service and dedication has made a lasting contribution to communities the length and breadth of the country.

"Their service in fields ranging from the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community cohesion and science, has benefited people right across society.

"This year, it is also fitting that people who have done so much to help our efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic have been honoured.

"Their work, which has seen them go above and beyond their usual responsibilities, has been truly inspiring.

"I also want to extend my congratulations to emergency service personnel who have been awarded The Queen's Fire, Police or Ambulance Service Medals.

"Our emergency services deserve our continued gratitude for helping to keep people and communities across Scotland safe; every day of the year and, of course, in these unprecedented times.''

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