Black Isle businessman ‘hugely humbled’ to receive British Empire Medal for charity work
Managing director at Ark Estates, William Gray, is ‘hugely humbled’ to have received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours 2024.
The honour, bestowed on William, was awarded for his services to charity involving residents of Culbokie and across the Highlands.
Speaking about his accolade, William said: “I’m hugely humbled to receive this honour in the King’s Birthday 2024 honours list and feel like I am receiving this on behalf of all the brilliant people who have made their own contribution to past charity events, and who are already working with me on future fundraisers for local causes.
“Without a brilliant team of co-organisers, sponsors and volunteers around me none of the events I have done would have been anywhere near as successful at raising the amounts we did for local causes, or even got past the planning stage to be perfectly honest.
“I see this award as a testament to the Highlands and its community. There are too many people and businesses to mention who have volunteered their time, skills, facilities and products to support the various events I have planned. But, I’ve yet to hear the word ‘no’ when asking for a favour or sponsorship or support for events and that’s incredible.”
Through his business or personally alongside his wife and fellow Ark Estates director, Barbara, William has supported numerous charities across the Highlands.
The charities William has supported are: Black Isle Cares, Blythswood Food Bank, Cairngorm Mountain Rescue, Dundonnell Mountain Rescue, Highland Homeless Trust (Gateway), Highland Hospice, Inverness Women’s Aid, MFR Cash for Kids, Oxygen Works, Ross-shire Women’s Aid, Scottish Refugee Council, The Highlands Support Refugees and Trussell Trust.
He has also been the mastermind of a number of large fundraisers and events for local causes.
Notably, William was the driving force behind 2021’s Maggies 500 Cycle which saw 40 local business leaders, including himself, cover 500 miles across the Highlands in five days.
The event raised over £400,000 for Maggie’s Highlands Centre at Raigmore, Inverness, to which provides free, vital practical and emotional support for people living with cancer and their families.
Additionally, in 2023 William was a key organiser for the Bridge to Bridge Highland Cycle which raised an incredible £103,000 for Dream Believe Achieve and The Elsie Normington Foundation.
Now, he is the co-organiser for the 2024 event which is set to benefit The Elsie Normington Foundation, which operates the Haven Centre. This then creates opportunities for children and young adults with severe and multiple learning disabilities as well as complex needs in the Highlands and Islands.
William will be presented the honour by the King’s Lord-Lieutenant and is set to attend a Royal Garden Party later this summer.
