TRIBUTES have flooded in after East Lothian fundraising hero Scott Glynn was named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Scott, inspirational leader of the Walk With Scott Foundation, will receive an MBE for services to health and charity after raising more than £300,000 for local causes.

The charity holds long-distance walks around the county each year which Scott leads himself – even taking part in 2017 when he was waiting for a liver transplant as he battled cancer.

Scott, 56, told the Courier: “When I found out about the MBE, I was gobsmacked really.

“You don’t do things to get medals, you don’t help people for medals; I suppose I didn’t really realise the impact that the charity had made.

“I’ve been getting messages from people all over the world – people congratulating me and telling me how much they have been moved by the work that the charity has done. It’s really amazing.”

He added: “The charity is just going from strength to strength.

“I think people respond well to it because all of the money goes to East Lothian people, charities and organisations.

“People can see it working, see the difference it makes. Also, we on the board don’t take a penny of the money given to us, all of it goes back into the community, which I think helps encourage people to give.”

Scott’s achievements are all the greater for having gone through a liver transplant two years ago, throughout which he was still able to keep the foundation going and raising money.

In a moving and inspiring letter to the Courier at the time, Scott wrote: “I realised I had to roll the sleeves up and take on this fight now to help and protect my family, and in doing this I set myself targets to survive.”

East Lothian MSP Iain Gray has tabled a motion at Holyrood to mark the occasion, citing Scott’s “outstanding efforts on behalf of communities and individuals across East Lothian, which make him a very worthy appointment of an MBE”.

He added: “Scott Glynn has been a high-profile and well-liked local character for many years.

“Since 2013, his Walk With Scott Foundation fundraising activities have resulted in significant benefits for local charities, community groups and good causes.

“Scott’s own personal health struggle has also been well documented in recent years, but he never let that stop his charitable work.

“He is a genuine local hero and fully deserves this recognition of everything he has done to support people in need across East Lothian.”

Scott is originally a Port Seton boy, attending Cockenzie Primary School and Preston Lodge High School in Prestonpans before heading down the mines, working at the colliery for five years.

He then moved on to work for engineering firm Babcock, sending Scott all over the UK until he retired for health reasons.

Well known for his sense of humour and wit, Scott has made a name as an entertainer and exceptional after-dinner speaker for events all over the county.

He met his wife Carol at a pantomime in Tranent, and the couple have been married for 33 years and have three children together.

The Walk With Scott Foundation started as a way to celebrate Scott’s 50 birthday.

Being a dedicated rugby man, a member of both the Crusaders RFC and Penguins RFC, as well as a past president of Ross High Rugby Club, he decided to walk around the six rugby clubs in the county, leaving small donation tins that he would go back and collect, then give the money to local causes.

The year after, more people joined in, and there has been an annual walk ever since, with this year seeing more than 100 enjoy a 26-mile hike around the county.

The foundation received charity status in 2017 and is having a greater impact year on year, with previous recipients of funding including East Lothian Foodbank, Our Community Kitchen Project, Hollies Day Centre and Beach Wheelchairs.

A spontaneous and enthusiastic round of applause was given in Scott’s honour when his MBE was mentioned at the Ross High School Sports Personality of the Year Awards on Tuesday.

Martin Whitfield, East Lothian MP, said: “I’m delighted to add my congratulations to Scott on this wonderful news. It’s richly deserved recognition for all of his outstanding work helping local groups and causes through the Walk with Scott Foundation and his commitment to communities throughout East Lothian.”

Karen Kidd, treasurer and secretary of the Walk With Scott Foundation, said: “I have known Scott for years and done every one of the Walks with him. I knew him to say hello to at the start and now he is like a big brother to me. We are very close, he is wonderful and a great, great guy. It is not just the Foundation he has done – he did a lot of charity work prior to that. He has touched so many lives across the globe, with the foundation focusing on East Lothian and keeping it local. It is something I am massively proud to be a big part of.”

Colin McGinn, ward councillor and Walk With Scott board member, said: “I am delighted to see Scott and his family recognised in this way. This honour reflects Scott’s impact on our community over many years. He has been a driving force behind organisations such as the Ross High Rugby Club, Recharge, the Foundation and a fantastic supporter of many other local good causes. I am personally very proud that he has been recognised for his service over many years and can say that he has been overwhelmed with messages from all over the world, a well-deserved honour for an inspirational member of our community.”

Gordon Mackett, ward councillor, said: “Scott has worked tirelessly over countless years to help raise money for charity, even with his own health issues. Congratulations Scott, it’s very, very much deserved.”

Kenny McLeod, ward councillor, said: “He has done loads and loads of stuff. There is not much you can say – he has been there, done it and got the t-shirt. It is one of those scenarios where you can see he just keeps on producing the goods.”

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian’s Provost, said: “He is just a real inspiration to people and makes people want to get involved.”

Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council issued a statement saying: “We are delighted that Scott has been recognised for his years of fundraising.”

John Tinlin, Ross High RFC president who succeeded Scott in the role in 2014 after he had held the position for nine years, added: “He’s a fantastic personality, you could not meet a nicer guy than Scott. The club is very proud of Scott’s achievement in being recognised for all his work for charities across East Lothian.”

Scotland rugby internationalist Zander Fagerson said: “Congratulations Scott, very well deserved.” Former Scotland rugby international Kelly Brown added: “Incredible news, congratulations Scott.”

Former Hibernian and Scotland striker Keith Wright, who was also coach at Haddington Athletic, also praised Scott, saying: “Brilliant, Scott. Well deserved big man!” Former Preston Athletic manager David Bingham said: “Many congratulations big man.” While former Celtic and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie added: “Congratulations big man, well deserved,”

Broadcaster David Tanner, a regular on Sky Sports, said: “Congratulations, big guy! Delighted that your efforts have been both noticed and rewarded. You may need to clean up your tremendous after-dinner act for Her Majesty!”

Commentator Paul Mitchell added: “So deserved. Many congratulations to you, Scott.”