Karen Kelly, Head Coach of Lanark Amateur Swimming Club, and Colin Dalgarno, President of Strathaven Rugby Club, received the honour for Voluntary Service and for Services to the Community in Strathaven respectively.

Their medals were presented to them by Lady Susan Haughey, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, at a ceremony in South Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters hosted by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper and featuring North Lanarkshire Depute Provost Bob Burgess and South Lanarkshire Council Depute Chief Executive Jackie Taylor, as well as members of Karen’s and Colin’s families and friends.

Karen was introduced to the swimming club in Lanark at the age of 10 by her mum, Mary – herself a stalwart of the club over many years – and started coaching when she was just 16. She celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2023, making her the longest-serving member in its history.

She runs six training sessions every week for the club’s 80 members who range in age from nine to young adults – including two “early bird” sessions before school – as well as taking on hours of further tasks such as administration and competition entries.

In her time, she has coached dozens of Scottish and district champions and two Deaflympic athletes, and has earned coaching accolades from bodies including the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association and Clydesdale Sports Council.

Colin has been involved at Strathaven RFC since he was a child, too – in his case, he joined at eight years old. He went on to play for Strathaven, in Cyprus and at Reading RFC, but suffered an injury to his spine in 2012 that ended his playing career.

He was determined to stay involved in rugby and give back to the sport, and has dedicated himself to volunteering work in various roles within the Strathaven RFC ever since.

His work has proved crucial to the success and growth that the club has experienced during that time, including the award of a £670,000 grant to the club by the council-run Renewable Energy Fund to make possible the construction of an indoor training facility, the growth of membership to the highest numbers in the club’s history.

He also created an online hub to allow other clubs can find details on every project Strathaven has carried out, including an explanation of how they were achieved, to assist clubs that are themselves looking at improving their facilities.

Provost Cooper said: “I know well how much of a positive influence Karen and Colin have had on their communities. They have dedicated their time and energy for many years to helping their sporting clubs, and in doing so have brought benefits to the lives of countless swimmers and rugby players of all ages.

“Volunteering, especially at the level that Karen and Colin have demonstrated, is something that has to come from within, working tirelessly to enhance the lives of many with no thought of personal reward, and so I am delighted that they have been recognised with the British Empire Medals and offer them my congratulations and gratitude.”