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Vinay Ruparelia came to the UK at a time when he and other Asians were being expelled from Uganda by violent dictator Idi Amin.
Until the age of 18, when he moved to London, he had no access to study materials or recreational facilities at his school in Kampala.
But in spite of that disadvantage, he went on to become a pharmacist, charity champion and, since 2013, a deputy lieutenant of Banffshire.
The father-of-two, also an Honorary Sheriff of Grampian, Islands and Highlands, was made an MBE in recognition of his work with community enterprises and various charities in Banffshire in the Queen’s new year’s honours list.