Blind man Scott receives MBE from Queen for charity work

Oct 27 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A BLIND man who has raised £150,000 for charity said receiving an MBE at Buckingham Palace was the proudest moment of his life.

Tax worker Scott Cunningham attended Buckingham Palace with his loyal guide dog, Travis, to pick up the honour from Princes Royal, Princess Anne last Tuesday.

The 40-year-old, of Avon Road, Larkhall, was being recognised for his charity work for Guide Dogs.

Scott and Travis have strolled into the record books by being the first blind man and guide dog to have completed six mammoth walks, including the West Highland Way three times, Speyside Way, Southern Upland Way and Pennine Way.

Scott said: “It was not only a privilege to have been awarded the MBE but also a massive honour as a big royalist to travel to Buckingham Palace with all my family to be presented with the medal.

“It was the best day of my life, even more so that Travis was able to guide me through the full investiture, and a tremendous way to round off all our Travis Trek endeavours as he is due to retire in the coming months.

“It was a fantastic occasion, as only the British Royal Family can put on, and a memorable day for the Cunningham family to attend such an historic building.

“HRH asked me about my work in HMRC, our recent treks, she had remembered meeting us both previous at the 10th birthday celebrations at Holyrood and commented on how good Travis was looking.”

Scott dedicated his MBE to his family and friends who have supported him since losing his sight in 1993.

The family celebrated the special occasion with a meal and party with friends from far and wide and Travis Trek supporter and former Gers star Terry Hurlock in London.

Richard Leaman, Guide Dogs chief executive, said: “Scott's achievements are absolutely magnificent.

“The Guide Dogs Association are proud and honoured to witness how much Scott has accomplished with Travis. We are particularly grateful for his fundraising achievements. His work is at the heart of what Guide Dogs stands for - ensuring that blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom of movement and life chances as everyone else.”

Scott was accompanied at the ceremony by his entire family, mum Elizabeth, dad, Robin, brother and sisters as well as a group of friends.

Travis was awarded Scottish Guide Dog of the Year in 2009 and this year won the Outstanding Work category in the UK Guide Dog of the Year awards.