HONORARY PRESIDENT: Sir Alan Smith, CBE, DFC, DL

Marilyn Carr (left)

Sir Alan Smith, CBE, DFC, DL, one of the country's most successful businessmen and wartime Number Two to the legendary pilot, has accepted the position of Honorary President of the Friends of the Douglas Bader Memorial Garden organisation.

Sir Alan, from Cleish, near Kinross, will be joined on the group by Marilyn Carr, the Dundee woman who was born without arms and became a fierce campaigner for people with special needs.

Marilyn Carr, who met Douglas Bader in 1971 and was a family friend, became a TV star in the seventies when she appeared with the legless wartime ace in the documentary "Two of a Kind."

The former typist, who has lectured all over the world to women's groups and the parents of thalidomide children, travelled across Britain to encourage youngsters with special needs.

A familiar sight driving around Dundee , Marilyn has been a great source of inspiration to others thanks to her dogged determination to lead a perfectly normal life.

She said: "I was delighted to accept the position of Chair of the group because I was shocked to learn about the present condition of the garden in Cupar.

"If Sir Douglas had been alive, he would have been on the phone to those in positions of authority giving them hell about the current state of affairs.

"I have been asked to look at the group's plans from a position of someone with different needs, so that the new garden project will be fully accessible to everyone.

"As the plans are being developed I will be taking them around various groups and organisations asking their opinion. Sir Douglas was a great man and a great friend, and I was honoured to be asked to join a community group which has such worthwhile aims."

In early 2007, Marilyn stepped down from the Chair to become a committee member following a year in the post.

Wartime fighter pilot Air Alan, who left school at 14 and became a soap salesman, was the "Cashmere King" of Kinross-based Dawson International, which owned the Pringle of Scotland and Ballantyne labels.

As head of a company employing 7500 people across the world, he witnessed his firms winning the Queen's Award for Industry on six occasions.

Sir Alan became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tayside Region, and served on Tayside Regional Council and Kinross Town Council, where he was Provost for six years.

A passionate supporter of community organisations, the Tynesider turned fervent Scot fell in love with Kinross while serving with the RAF at Balado Airfield during WW2.

Called up in September 1939, he served with distinction and flew as Douglas Bader's Number Two in 616 Fighter Squadron from March to August 1941.

Sir Alan said: "I am flattered at the group's suggestion that I become Honorary President and am happy to accept.

"My sincere thanks goes towards all the members of the group who are prepared to give their time and energy to promote the memory of a very brave and outstanding gentleman."