King’s Birthday Honours: Hastings ex-gang member Carl Scott made an MBE
A Hastings man who used to be involved with gangs has been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours list for his tireless work towards the protection of young people.
Carl Scott was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
Since turning his life around, Carl has dedicated himself to helping young people avoid a life of crime through his job as a support worker for drug and alcohol misuse.
He set up Project Youth in St Leonards, which is dedicated to helping young people from the ages of 10 to 15.
Carl also set up a campaign to install life-saving equipment, called bleed control kits, in public places to prevent deaths from knife crime.
He said: “To receive this award is huge. It’s nice that my work has been recognised at such a level and I’m in complete shock.
“Knife crime is devastating and it’s ruining families' lives. Children are getting younger carrying weapons which is why me educating young people on the dangers of the street life is highly important so to have an MBE for my work on the protection of young people is amazing and I thank everyone who has supported me through the years as well as my family.”
Carl had been involved with gangs but now runs workshops detailing the reality of what that life entails.
He said in the past he had been ‘in and out of gangs’ for most of his life.
Carl said he had been stabbed three times in the past and that his best friend passed away in his arms after being fatally stabbed.
The King's Birthday Honours are appointments made by some of the 15 Commonwealth realms of King Charles III to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as part of the King's Official Birthday celebrations during June.
Others made an MBE include Richard Rowsell, coastguard team leader from Bexhill Coastguard for voluntary service to maritime safety, and Matthew Dominic Wilson from Robertsbridge, chair of Blood Cancer UK, for services to blood cancer awareness and research.