Caledonian MacBrayne’s Eric Ruthven today receives his MBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to the community at a special ceremony at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

The 43-year old has been working as a clerical assistant in the company’s mail room at Support Services in Gourock for more than 11 years.

The award, which was announced in the Queen’s New Year Honours List, is in recognition of his personal achievements and his charity work in Dunoon, Argyll.

After leaving school, Eric, who has Down Syndrome, attended both the Fitzgerald Centre and James Watt College in Greenock. During his regular ferry travel, he established a rapport with members of staff and fellow travellers. Following a period of unpaid work one day each week in CalMac’s Gourock office, staff were able to offer Eric considerable support which increased his confidence and eventually led to Eric joining the CalMac team on a permanent basis.

As well as working with CalMac, Eric spends a lot of his own time raising thousands of pounds for various charities, church activities and local community causes, through sponsored walks and runs in particular.

Eric is a popular and well-known member of staff to regular travellers on the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service and everyone has been celebrating this great achievement.

CalMac Chairman Peter Timms said:”We are all thrilled for Eric and his family – not just here at CalMac but in Dunoon where Eric lives, with church events and a family party to mark this great honour. Eric is a remarkable individual who is highly motivated and hugely popular with staff and customers alike. We hope he has an unforgettable day to mark this lifetime of achievement. “

ENDS

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Alan Moffat, Director of Human Resources on 01475 650100 or email alan.moffat@davidmacbraynehr.co.uk

Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited.

Issued Tuesday 1 JULY 2008; 1000