Adventurer Molly Turnbull conquered new heights last week when she was crowned our overall Young Scot of 2023 by First Minister Humza Yousaf.
The 18-year-old, who trekked to Everest Base Camp earlier this year and helped raise more than £15,000 for the Polar Academy, received a standing ovation at our glittering festival-themed ceremony.
After accepting the award Molly, who completed the gruelling 130km 17,598ft climb last month, told how the charity, which offers vulnerable children the chance to take part in an Arctic expedition, had brought her out of her shell and changed her outlook on life.
Holding back the tears, the teenager, from Freuchie, Fife, said: “The Polar Academy has had an amazing impact on my life and on me as a person. I was bullied at school, which knocked all my self esteem.
“I had no faith in myself, no confidence to talk to anyone or do anything remotely challenging. I couldn’t push myself and didn’t want to do anything that would put me in a situation where I may have stood out.
“However, going through The Polar Academy has changed all of this. Through the training, the expedition and all the challenges I faced, I learnt how to believe in myself.
“This has given me so much more confidence to do and try so many new things. I’m able to look at life in an extremely positive way and say yes to opportunities I could never have said yes to before.”
Molly, who also won the Enhancing Education category, added: “The Polar Academy champions the nation’s ‘invisible kids’ - kids who have been impacted by bullying, bereavement or abuse and have slipped under the radar. This award is all down to them and I am proud to be an ambassador for all that they do.”
After presenting Molly with her award, the First Minister praised the achievements of all of our young finalists. He said: “What an incredible and inspirational young woman Molly is. I am blown away by all of this year’s finalists. I want to thank them for not only being an inspiration to me but the whole of Scotland.
“Each and every one of them are making a massive impact in their communities and changing lives for the better. From entrepreneurs and mental health advocates to sports stars and equality and diversity champions - the future of our country is in safe hands.”
The Sunday Mail again teamed up with youth information charity Young Scot to stage the fun-filled awards at Platform, Glasgow hosted by Capital DJ Katy J.
She said: “This has been the best night and a wonderful way to celebrate all the wonderful finalists. Their stories moved me to tears and I had a hard time holding it together.”
Stilt-walkers, fire eaters, carnival games, a silent disco, street food, caricaturists and face painters made the new-look this year’s awards the most exciting yet.
Among those honoured was gamer Kelsie Grieg, 22, from Aberdeen, who won the Entertainment Award after becoming the first female in the world to make it into the Call of Duty Elite league.
She said: “I’m delighted to be recognised. I truly hope me getting so far in the gaming world will encourage other females to get involved - I want to rubbish the stereotypes that people have, especially in such a male-dominated scene.”
One of the biggest cheers went to our Equality and Diversity winner Cameron Peter Lyon Coupar, 13, from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, who embraces his challenges with dyslexia and having a stammer to help support others. Environment winner and marine conservationist Finlay Pringle, who was wearing a shark-covered shirt, also made a big impact on the night.
Musical entertainment was provided by DJ Erfone and singer and influencer Tallia Storm.
Sunday Mail editor Lorna Hughes said: “It’s a privilege to once again be championing young people from across the country, who every day, despite huge adversity, are making positive changes for themselves and others. Each one is inspiring, driven, caring and fearless and we salute them.”
Young Scot CEO Kirsten Urquhart added: “The new look upbeat awards were the perfect way to celebrate Scotland’s young people, who do so much to inspire, support and motivate those around them.”
YOUNG SCOT CATEGORY WINNERS
ARTS
Overdrive Dance Company, 15-20, Glasgow
The all-male dance troop seeks to tackle the stigma of boys taking part in dance and removes the financial barriers for participating in the arts by offering free sessions. Recent works include a performances about young people’s mental health.
COMMUNITY
Strut Safe, Edinburgh
Set up after the death of Sarah Everard, this volunteer service helps women, minorities and locals who feel vulnerable get home safely at night. Now a UK-wide helpline, the free service sees vetted volunteers take calls and stay on the line with those feeling vulnerable until they get home.
ENHANCING EDUCATION
Molly Turnbull, 18, Cupar, Fife
The young adventurer is a graduate of the Polar Academy which offers vulnerable children the chance to take part in an Arctic expedition. Last month Molly trekked to Everest Base Camp to raise money for the Academy which gave her a chance in life.
ENTERPRISE
Jamie Gordon, 16, Carluke, South Lanarkshire
The teenager set up a car washing and valeting business, Jambo G Valeting, from his home garage when he was just 13 and since then has built up a huge clientele and has saved up enough for his first car. He is also the youngest person in Scotland to pass an Autosmart machine polishing course.
ENTERTAINMENT
Kelsie Grieg, 22, Aberdeen
The former U17 Scotland footballer has made history by becoming the first woman in the world to qualify to play Call of Duty at elite level. She travels to the world’s biggest esport tournaments and is blazing a trail for female players in the male-dominated world of online gaming.
ENVIRONMENT
Finlay Pringle, 15, Ullapool, Scottish Highlands
He’s a marine conservationist, climate change activist and shark ambassador who has collaborated with school education company Twinkl on worksheets to increase awareness of sea conservation. Finlay also spoke at the Young Activist Summit in Geneva and is working with a global campaign to stop shark finning.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Cameron Peter Lyon Coupar, 13, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
The teenager embraces his challenges with dyslexia and having a stammer to help support others. He raises awareness for both by participating in research projects and making videos to help other neurodivergent young people.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Sai Shraddha S. Viswanathan, 26, Aberdeen
After the Scottish Government announced they were cutting the funding for mental health services in unis and colleges Sai lobbied and campaigned and secured funding to keep services at Aberdeen University up and running. Her persistence will ultimately save lives.
SPORT
Nayma Sheikh, 17, East Kilbride
The cricketer was the youngest member of the first-ever women’s team to represent Scotland at a World Cup where they recorded a historic win over the USA. Nayma plays for the West of Scotland Cricket Club and East Kilbride and is a talented bowler and batter.
UNSUNG HERO
Abbie Jarvis, 13, Glasgow
The schoolgirl, who was beaten unconscious by another girl, is the face of a campaign tackling youth violence. Abbie, who has autism, bravely waived her right to anonymity to share her story and push for more to be done to address the disturbing culture.
YOUNG HERO
Nawid, 17, South Lanarkshire
The brave teenager travelled across many borders to escape persecution in his home country. His family were all captured and he was forced to continue his journey alone. He walked 2000 miles over mountains, travelled through eight countries and ended up in Scotland where he is working hard to make his family proud.
ROLL OF HONOUR
ARTS Winner: Overdrive Dance Company, 15-20, Glasgow
Finalists: Katie Duthie, 18, Perth; Joseph Miranda, 13, Dundee
COMMUNITY In partnership with the Scottish Children's Lottery
Winner: Strut Safe, Edinburgh
Finalists: Elliott Keys, 22, Glasgow; The GOFFs (Group of Falkirk's Future), 15-17, Falkirk
ENHANCING EDUCATION
Winner: Molly Turnbull, 18, Freuchie, Fife
Finalists: Akrit Ghimire, 17, Glasgow; Mark Smith, 25, Shawbost, Isle of Lewis
ENTERPRISE
Winner: Jamie Gordon , 16, Carluke, South Lanarkshire
Finalists: Robbie MacIsaac, 22, Falkirk; Tania Deora Vas, 24, Edinburgh
ENTERTAINMENT
Winner: Kelsie Grieg, 22, Aberdeen
Finalists: Yong-Chin Marika Breslin, 25, Glasgow; Meryl Williams, 26, Edinburgh
ENVIRONMENT In partnership with SSE Energy Solutions
Winner: Finlay Pringle, 15, Ullapool, Highlands
Finalists: Harry Leadingham, 17, Dundee; Laura Young, 26, Dundee
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY In partnership with Arnold Clark
Winner: Cameron Peter Lyon Coupar, 13, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Finalists: Medical Herstory, 21-26, across Scotland; LGBT Youth Scotland Trans Rights Youth Commission
HEALTH & WELLBEING in partnership with the University of Dundee
Winner: Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan, 26, Aberdeen
Finalists: Beth Catchpole, 20, Prestonpans, East Lothian; YoMo - Young Food Ambassadors, 16-18, Glasgow
SPORT In partnership with sportscotland
Winner: Nayma Sheikh, 17, East Kilbride
Finalists: Scott McTominay, 26, Lancaster; Kirsty Muir, 18, Aberdeen
UNSUNG HERO In partnership with Solace Scotland
Winner: Abbie Jarvis, 12, Glasgow
Finalists: Mariya Javed, 13, Elderslie, Renfrewshire; Rhianna Mackay, 17, Caithness, Highlands
YOUNG HERO In partnership with XSite Braehead
Winner: Nawid, 17, South Lanarkshire
Finalists: Shreya Veerapaa, 12, Aberdeen; Leah Woods, 13, Saltcoats
- for more info go to www.youngscotawards.com
