A FIFE community education worker has been awarded an honour in the Queen’s birthday list for her unwavering dedication to her local community.

Lorraine Mullen has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2020 for her support to the local community.

Lorraine helped local volunteers set up Lo’gelly lunches around 18 months ago, the project which provides meals for people in the Lochgelly area who are suffering from food poverty and social isolation.

Describing her delight at the award, Lorraine said: “I feel the award of the British Empire Medal acknowledges the work of all those involved in supporting and volunteering in the Lo'gelly Lunches project and not just my role.

“Lo’gelly Lunches is a total community effort. I’m really fortunate to be able to work with so many good and committed people in the community and this project wouldn't be a success without them.

“I'd also like to say that this award reflects on all of my colleagues across the Cowdenbeath area, our team are doing amazing work in our individual communities.”

Community manager, Sarah Roxburgh said: “Congratulations and a massive well done to Lorraine. We’re all proud of her and it’s great to see that her hard work across the last 18 months to initiate and develop the project has been recognised – it’s a reflection of the quality of work that takes place right across the Cowdenbeath area.”

Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, has also lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament praising Lo’gelly Lunches in her constituency and congratulating Lorraine.

Speaking last week, Ms Ewing said: “Lo’gelly Lunches is a wonderful example of the community spirit that has been so evident throughout these challenging times.

“Working in partnership with local supermarkets, the project – which was initially set up to tackle social exclusion and isolation but adapted itself to help people through the global pandemic - has been feeding around 200 people every week, helping over 4,500 since it began.

“I am delighted for Lorraine Mullen that she has been recognised in the birthday honours list for her role in establishing Lo’gelly Lunches and to help celebrate her achievement with a motion in the Scottish Parliament. I wish her and the project every success in the future.”