Princess Royal Hails 'Inspiring' Charity Work of Former Miss Scotland and Husband
The Princess Royal has personally commended the philanthropic efforts of a former Miss Scotland and her husband, describing their charity work as "inspiring" during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Nicola Wood, a model and former Miss Scotland, and her husband Garreth Wood were appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for their services to health and charity through their organisation, Kids Operating Room (Kids OR).
Founding a Global Paediatric Surgery Charity
Nicola and Garreth Wood established Kids Operating Room in 2018, driven by their own experiences as parents of children who required medical intervention. "This led us to wanting to do something to help other parents that are in that same situation," Mrs Wood explained. The couple, who reside in East Lothian, have since expanded their initiative globally, opening more than 100 paediatric operating rooms across over 30 countries.
Mr Wood highlighted the critical need for their work, stating, "1.7 billion children can't access surgery when they need it. We live in a world where children are dying from surgically-treatable conditions that we take for granted in this country." In November, he travelled to Ukraine to inaugurate six new paediatric operating rooms at a hospital in the western region, underscoring their commitment to addressing healthcare disparities.
Royal Recognition and Inspirational Praise
During the ceremony on Wednesday, Princess Anne presented the MBEs to the Woods, expressing admiration for their charitable contributions. Mrs Wood remarked, "It's really quite special to think that someone who is royal knows about the work that we do and finds it inspiring." Her husband added, "She (Anne) said it was inspiring, which is nice to hear from anyone." This royal endorsement highlights the significant impact of their efforts in improving paediatric surgical access worldwide.
Broadcasting Veteran Honoured Alongside Charity Founders
The investiture also recognised John Whiston, the former managing director of continuing drama at ITV, who was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to broadcasting and television. Whiston, often dubbed the "Pope of Soaps," led popular programmes such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale. He expressed a desire for the honour to be shared, saying he wants every one of the 600 people who worked on the shows to "have the honour for a day."
Reflecting on his career, Whiston noted, "I've been so lucky to work in television, particularly with comedians." He shared anecdotes about working with talents like Peter Kay, the late Caroline Aherne on The Royle Family, and comedians Vic Reeves (Jim Moir) and Bob Mortimer on Shooting Stars. "What's great about comedians is that they just, they take nothing seriously," he said, recalling how Kay would humorously disrupt meetings.
Soaps as a Force for Social Change
Whiston also discussed the power of television soaps in addressing social issues, referencing Princess Anne's visit to the Coronation Street set in 2023 and her knowledge of its acid attack storyline. "When the soaps tackle proper difficult subjects and they do it with care and emotion, I think there is no more powerful thing in terms of helping charities," he asserted. "They don't tell people how to live their lives but they do make people feel less alone." This perspective aligns with the broader theme of using influence for positive societal impact, much like the Woods' charity work.
The ceremony at Windsor Castle celebrated diverse contributions to British society, from global health initiatives to cultural broadcasting, with royal praise emphasising the inspirational nature of such dedicated service.
