A RENFREWSHIRE businessman has told how he was so shocked to be named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List that he feared it was a hoax.

Parminder Singh Purewal, whose family owns the Normandy Hotel, in Renfrew, has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) in recognition of his services to the hospitality industry and charity.

But, when an email arrived to inform him of the royal honour, he feared it might not be genuine, so he checked with the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street to make sure it was the real thing.

In the last 10 years, Mr Purewal has turned the Normandy into one of the country’s leading airport hotels, employing more than 140 people.

The father-of-three has also raised more than £100,000 for charity and good causes in that time.

He is among four Renfrewshire men named in the honours list, alongside chemist shop owner Asgher Mohammed, basketball legend Kieron Achara and athletics administrator Ian Beattie.

Mr Purewal told The Gazette: “I was taken aback by the email. I didn’t know how to respond or if I should take it seriously or not.

“No-one had contacted me previously and it came out of the blue but, once I realised it was genuine, I could not have been more delighted or thrilled.”

Mr Purewal was notified of the award in June but told to keep it a secret until last week, when the official announcement was made.

In 2017, he raised £87,000 for Childreach International by walking the West Highland Way and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania.

Other beneficiaries of his charity work are the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Purewal, 47, has also raised money for St Vincent’s Hospice, in Howwood.

Sporting legend Mr Achara receives an MBE for his services to community sport and as a reward for a glittering basketball career.

The Gazette: Basketball legend Kieron Achara has been awarded an MBEBasketball legend Kieron Achara has been awarded an MBE

The 37-year-old Paisley man also thought his honour was a prank when he was first told about it.

Mr Achara, a father-of-two, joked: “I thought the message was a spam email and worried I was being scammed.

“I was told about the award in April and it’s been a relief to finally be able to tell people after all this time because you are asked to keep it quiet until the official announcement.

“It’s a fantastic honour and I am so delighted.”

The 6ft 10in forward played basketball for Scotland 75 times and competed at the London Olympics.

He retired last year as Glasgow Rocks’ captain after 11 years as a professional.

Mr Achara’s wife Megan is a former nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley.

Mr Mohammed, 60, who runs the successful Abbey Chemist chain, with premises in Paisley and Glasgow, has been awarded an MBE for his charity work and services to pharmacy.

The Gazette: Pharmacist Asgher MohammedPharmacist Asgher Mohammed

He said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award and would like to sincerely thank everyone who made it possible.”

Mr Mohammed, who has been a chemist since 1982, set up the Scottish Sadaqah Trust, which gives money to good causes, including Women’s Aid and Positive Action in Housing.

He was recently appointed a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, which recognises those who have attained distinction in their pharmacy career.

Renfrewshire-born accountant Mr Beattie also receives an MBE, for services to athletics.

The Gazette: Ian Beattie is chairman of Scottish AthleticsIan Beattie is chairman of Scottish Athletics

Born and brought up in Kilbarchan, he is chief operating officer of leading Glasgow law firm Lindsays and chairman of Scottish Athletics.

Mr Beattie is also an endurance coach and race director of the West Highland Way Race.

He said: “Being awarded an MBE is an incredible honour. I’m excited and delighted in equal measure.”