AN entrepreneur who grew up in care and an inspirational charity founder are among four Glasgow recipients of the BEM in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Sylvia Douglas, who lives in Springburn, and Louise Russell, who set up Give a Dog a Bone, join pipe major Andy Melvin from Shawlands and Mary Devon, who ran a BB company in Glasgow for 25 years, on the prestigious list.
Growing up in care, Sylvia left school at 15 with poor literacy, soon becoming a young mum. She is the founder of MsMissMrs, which supports women’s emotional, physical and mental health in a variety of ways.
Her Femfoods wellbeing hub teaches cooking skills to women on low incomes and she set up Womanufacture, a social enterprise which makes aprons, underwear - including "Empowerment Pants" and blankets - and creates work and skills opportunities for women.
Sylvia, 44, said: “I feel really humbled to be given a BEM, as so many women contribute in so many ways to support others without deserved recognition.”
Fellow BEM recipient Louise Russell, 48, from Clarkston, set up Give a Dog a Bone....and an Animal a Home 10 years ago.
The charity helps reduce loneliness in the over 60s with pet companionship. Louise also runs a pet food bank and hundreds of people visit her community spaces to spend time with the charity’s companionship dogs, socialise and get some gentle exercise.
Louise said: “Receiving this honour is validation to keep pushing and growing the charity, and to continue to support communities feel more connected through the love of animals.
“Give a Dog a Bone started as a seed of an idea and it’s humbling to see the difference it makes in so many people’s lives.”
A former BB leader from Glasgow who is now a councillor on Mull will also receive the BEM.
Mary Devon, 77, is being recognised for services to the community in Glasgow and in Argyll and Bute, following her tireless efforts campaigning for the poor, disabled and disenfranchised.
Despite living with Multiple Sclerosis, her energies are undimmed as she journeys by public transport and ferry to her many meetings and events in all weathers, while completely reliant on her wheelchair.
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