Covid-19 hero from Bearsden receives MBE

Bearsden man David Maguire has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list this year for going above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the national lockdown, David (62) repurposed his restaurant GWR near Gartnavel Hospital to provide free hot meals for thousands of NHS key workers and vulnerable local people.

This grew to include 800 meals per day to the elderly, those self-isolating and children who were missing free meals whilst school was shut down.

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He also set up a Go Fund Me campaign with an initial £10,000 donation of his own money.

Innovative David also got customers involved by selling food to the public in exchange for a donation.

This arrangement meant that key workers could pick up free food, the public could pay whatever they felt able to with any cash donations helping to support purchase of future 
ingredients.

As the operation grew several suppliers gifted ingredients and he was eventually working with 10 charities to help distribute food to vulnerable groups.

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David has been made an MBE for services to the community in Glasgow during the Covid-19 response.

When told about the honour, Mr Maguire said: “I feel pretty overwhelmed.

“It took me by surprise and I’m really pleased for everybody in the organisation that I am associated with.

“It was a reflection of what we all managed to do.”

Adrian Robertson of St Andrew’s Church at Bearsden praised David and his supporters for their tireless efforts.

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He said: “Congratulations to David. He provided free hot meals for NHS staff, the homeless and those served by Drumchapel and St Gregory’s food banks.

“His team at GWR worked tirelessly and are always cheerful and helpful.”

He added: “This initiative could not have succeeded without the volunteer drivers from St Andrew’s Church, Bearsden, which was co-ordinated by 
Veronica McLaughlin.

“Thanks also to the St 
Nicholas Care Fund who were able to provide some financial support.”

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