Farmer honoured with Carnegie medal

Published on Thursday 11 August 2005 00:06

SIR Tom Farmer is to be awarded the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy, it was announced today.

The multi-millionaire founder of Kwik-Fit and the Farmer Foundation will join the illustrious ranks of previous winners such as the Gates, Rockefeller and Sainsbury families.

He will receive his medal at the Scottish Parliament on 4 October, the first time the ceremony has been held outside the United States. His achievement also marks the anniversary of Andrew Carnegie's death on 11 August, 1919. The American-Scot, born in Dunfermline, set up the Carnegie Foundation in 1905 to which he donated the equivalent of $15 billion (8.4 billion).

Sir Tom set up Kwik-Fit in 1971 and sold it to Ford for 1 billion in 1999. The Farmer Foundation has distributed funds to charities worldwide for three years.

He said: "I was delighted and a bit overawed when I saw the list of previous recipients. If I had the choice of any country in which I could receive my medal, it would be Scotland."

Sir Tom would not compare himself to other winners, saying:

"I would be the equivalent of a raindrop on Duddingston Loch when compared to families like the Gates and the Rockefellers."

He also insisted: "It's not just about money, it's about time, effort and support and doing whatever you can."

The medal is presented every two years to inspirational philanthropists and their families. Jack McConnell, the First Minister, said: "Sir Tom has contributed much to Scottish life and this award is richly deserved."