Charity hero Tom is awarded posthumous MBE

Scottish charity legend Tom Gilzean, who died months before his 100th birthday, will be posthumously awarded his MBE for his incredible fundraising efforts.

By Roy Beers

Published 15th Feb 2020, 13:27 BST

Updated 15th Feb 2020, 13:38 BST

Tom Gilzean, who passed away in November last year.

Tom, a Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Engineers, raised more than a million pounds for sick children, and was a frequent sight - resplendent in tartan trousers - in Edinburgh’s Princes Street.

His son Douglas told the BBC that when his health deteriorated Tom was anxious to ensure he could receive the promised MBE, but sadly died before it could be arranged.

He knew that gaining the honour would raise the profile of the charities he had worked so hard to support, and gain them still more funds.

Now Douglas is to collect the award at a ceremony in the capital on Wednesday, when it will be presented by Lord Lieutenant Frank Ross.