Irvine gran finally awarded with British Empire Medal as Covid restrictions ease
Irvine school teacher has finally received her British Empire Medal (BEM) – after Covid restrictions put a stop to the presentation celebrations.Margaret Cook was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List after her tireless fundraising efforts for Ayrshire Hospice.Selfless Margaret was awarded at the Riverside Hotel on Friday by the Queen’s representative in Ayrshire and Arran, Lord-Lieutenant Iona McDonald.She said: "It was a lovely, hot day and The Riverside did us proud; I would've loved to have had it in the Burns club as I'm a member but as it's closed until October, the Riverside were able to accommodate us and it meant my kids and grandkids could come too."I was overwhelmed.