A former journalist who now plays a key part in several charities has been made an OBE.
Mike Edwards, originally from Inverness, was the face of STV’s nightly news for more than 25 years.
Following a successful television career, the 57-year-old took the decision to become a full-time carer for his mother Margaret, who was living with dementia.
Since her death in 2019, he has thrown himself into charitable work and is now an ambassador and trustee for veterans charity Erskine.
He is also involved with the Royal Highland Fusiliers Trust, the Highlanders Regimental Museum at Fort George, and the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat.
Mr Edwards, who has been made an OBE for services to charity and public service, said: “I am deeply humbled and totally shocked and surprised to receive this award.
“I can’t believe I have been awarded this honour. It’s all the more special because it’s the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
‘I am deeply humbled and totally shocked.’
Initially Mr Edwards thought the honour was part of a elaborate joke as he received the news while on holiday.
He said: “One afternoon I was walking on holiday when I noticed a voicemail, but I didn’t recognise the number, name or voice.
“The caller asked me to check my e-mails urgently and reply within the hour. I thought it was one of my pals winding me up or a phishing scam.
“I had run out of data so I couldn’t look at my e-mails. When I eventually got a connection about 100 e-mails dropped into my inbox.
“At the bottom was one from the Cabinet Office sent the week before, telling me I’d been awarded the OBE.
“I phoned the number in the e-mail and spoke to the official who had left the voicemail message and he told me that had I called an hour later, I’d have been off the list.
“The rest of my holiday was spent in a trance. I’m not sure I needed the plane to fly home, I think I floated back myself.”
Mr Edwards currently resides in Helensburgh and has written successful novels such as Friendly Fire, and The Road Home and is his main focus for the future.
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