Perth Strathtay Harriers president Jim Hunter receives BEM for services to inclusion in sport

The smiles on the faces continue to motivate him.

A youngster perfecting a new skill for the first time, achieving a personal best or simply enjoying being part of the club that has become so very close to his heart. It is all massively rewarding for Jim Hunter.

His association with Perth Strathtay Harriers stretches back more than four decades and includes time as an athlete, coach and now president. He is not one for basking in success, but he is deserving of it.

And this week Jim was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours when he received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to inclusion in sport.

“It’s a whole team of volunteers – I’m just the one who is sometimes the voice,” Jim (60), from Perth, smiled.

“I could not do this without a whole load of great folk around me.”

Jim started coaching more than 40 years ago and developed into an outstanding coach, before taking up the reins as club president over a decade ago.

He has encouraged and enabled frame runners, wheelchair users and able-bodied athletes all using the track at the same time.

This environment, as Jim mentioned, has been created and steered by him with support from the volunteers within the club.

As well as coaching at the club, Jim delivers athletics within the local schools, signposting potential athletes to the club.

He and other club coaches have delivered athletics as part of after-school taster sessions at the request of active schools.

And he has been invited to deliver athletics coaching to other organisations such as Perth Autism Support, PKDS, Physios, the Blind Society and SHIP.

He never refuses a request, taking his little personal free time and donating it along with his expertise.

Jim, as club president and an active coach,