It was announced as part of the New Year’s honours list that Don Cameron, the renowned Scottish hot air balloon manufacturer, is to be awarded an MBE in 2014.
Members of the British Empire awards are given to those individuals who have made a significant contribution to their communities and the country as a whole, something Mr Cameron has certainly done with Cameron Balloons and with his many balloon challenges.
Mr Cameron, although originally from Glasgow, has lived and worked in the Bristol area, where he set up the world famous Cameron Balloons balloon manufacturing company, since 1963. His company is currently the biggest manufacturer of hot air balloons and airships in the world and is well-known for creating some of the most spectacular balloons, based on pop culture, history and traditional designs. The company supplies hot air balloons to those operating hot air balloon flights and rides, whether for advertising and marketing, or for passenger rides and adventure trips.
Seventy-Four year old Cameron studied aero engineering in his home city of Glasgow before undertaking postgraduate study in the US. It was in 1967 when he was part of the team that created the first modern hot air balloon in Europe. Five years later, he was to set up his flagship company before later going on to found the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in 1978. It was also at this time that Mr Cameron piloted a balloon across the Atlantic, a feat for which he was awarded a gold medal from the Royal Aeronautical Club.
Joining the hot air balloon legend on this year’s honours list are many notable individuals, including Nicholas Parsons, Katherine Jenkins, Antony Gormley and Michael Victor Codron.
