A TEACHER at Alva Academy and a Clackmannanshire Council director have been awarded MBEs in the King's New Year Honours.

David Clifford, who has led the Alva Academy to become Macmillan's most successful non-corporate fundraiser in the UK for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, has been honoured for his services to charitable fundraising in Clackmannanshire.

And Lorraine Sanda, who who heads up the Council's People Directorate, has been recognised for services to children and families in the Wee County.

For the last 14 years, David, 45, has helped to lead fundraising events and challenges for Macmillan Cancer Support, raising more than £500,000.

He organises the Alva Academy's Coffee Morning, which is a culmination of a month's worth of fundraising with events ranging from bands nights, ceilidhs, cake sales and cross-country cycles, and encourages every member of the school to participate in some way.

The school's fundraising efforts were recognised in 2011 when it received the Douglas Macmillan Award, Macmillan's highest accolade for their phenomenal contribution to the organisation.

David's exceptional voluntary service was recognised by Prime Minister David Cameron through a Points of Light award in 2014, and last year he was named as Teacher of the Year at the Scottish Education Awards for his work transforming the life chances of young people while supporting the school, pupils and local community with fundraising initiatives.

Following the announcement of his honour, David said a "huge thank you" to everyone who has supported both himself and the school in its various fundraising efforts and projects.

He added that receiving the MBE was "incredibly humbling".

Lorraine, 60, who joined Clackmannanshire Council in 2016, has dedicated her long career to improving the lives of children and families in a variety of public roles.

Among her many achievements, she introduced Safeguarding through Rapid Intervention (STRIVE) – a multi-agency, public sector team to improve systems of safeguarding vulnerable individuals on the cusp of statutory intervention.

Lorraine said: "I was genuinely shocked to receive the letter from the Cabinet Office.

"I am slightly embarrassed because it draws attention to me as a person, as opposed to the work that many others support and show commitment and dedication to, day in and day out in Clackmannanshire and elsewhere.

"However, in accepting this honour, I hope it will encourage others to think about the role that they can play in supporting those who face the toughest realities in life or who may just need some extra support at a challenging time.

"We can all make a difference. We just need the courage to do what we believe is right."