A MUM who has dedicated her life to supporting others in times of crisis and a young artist who doesn’t let his disability stand in the way of his dreams - meet two more of our fabulous Pride of Scotland winners.
Jean Cumming, 72, from Erskine, Renfrewshire and Jack Smyth, 26, from Clydebank, were both honoured at our glittering ceremony at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
Here we share their experiences of the incredible night when Scotland said thank you and the great and the good honoured their achievements.
PRINCE’S TRUST YOUNG ACHIEVER
Not only did singer Lulu congratulate Jack Smyth on his Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award she treated him to a live rendition of her 1964 hit ‘Shout.’
The pop legend said the whole world needed to shout about the achievements of the talented 26-year-old welder from Clydebank, who has overcome severe illness and set up his own sculpture business.
Lulu, who was the life and soul of our people’s Oscars, said: “Jack is my Pride of Scotland angel. He lets nothing restrict him or hold him back and he has been through so much in his young life.
“Positivity is the essence of him and he has a humility and ability to laugh at himself which is truly inspirational. He is a true example to others and there are not enough uplifting words in the dictionary to describe him.”
Born premature, Jack has battled through severe illness, including being on life support, to set up his own business combining his love of cars with his talent for art.
Jack was only days old when he suffered the first of three bleeds in his brain and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, with doctors believing he would never walk or talk. He also has epilepsy and hydrocephalus, which required him to have shunts in his brain, as well as needing numerous brain surgeries up to the age of 14.
Defying the odds, Jack never allowed his disability to stop him from doing the things he loved and as a young boy he helped his dad work on cars and soon had a dream to open his own garage.
But his time at school was ruined by bullies and even after starting college to study vehicle maintenance the bullying continued and he felt there were too many unnecessary barriers, which ultimately stopped him from learning the skills he wanted and needed to pursue a career in mechanics.
With his self-esteem low, Jack’s uncle began to teach him how to weld and after working on scrap metal and becoming more comfortable using the equipment, Jack realised he could turn his new skills into a business.
Through Street League in West Dunbartonshire, Jack found out about The Prince’s Trust and took part in the Enterprise programme which gave him the knowledge, skills, and confidence to launch Salvaged Metal Art which combines his love of cars with his newfound talents.
Jack said: “My experience at college wasn’t a positive one and it knocked my confidence. My uncle taught me to weld and as I had always enjoyed art and being creative, I began designing a table lamp using a car spring and scrap materials. Now, using car parts I make sculptures and household items including wine racks and floor lamps.
“I was introduced to Arnold Clark, AutoParts and Black Circles who now supply me with parts. My aim is to build my business and hopefully create jobs. I was also a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador and I really enjoyed helping to make a difference to other people’s lives.”
Jack added: “Growing up and going to college, I felt I could do everything that my peers did, but others felt my disability stood in the way. I want to make sure others don’t feel like this and show everyone that having a disability shouldn’t mean you can’t achieve your dreams.”
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
SOME of the biggest names in showbusiness were queuing up to honour Lifetime Achievement winner Jean Cumming who has supported more than 50,000 families, veterans and children through her counselling charity.
Four Weddings and A Funeral star John Hannah, who presented the mum-of-three with her award, said: “Meeting Jean has been incredibly humbling. My achievements pale into insignificance next to hers.
“What she has done really counts and has saved countless lives. To spend your life helping tens of thousands of others is such a selfless act and she deserves to be celebrated.
“When Jean set up Crisis, mental health was not something anyone talked about but she recognised the severe need and set out to tackle it head-on. She is an inspiration and true unsung hero.”
Paying tribute to the big-hearted Scot, Take That’s Mark Owen added: “What you have achieved with your counselling charity Crisis is incredible. Well done and thank you. Jean you are kind and caring. Thank you for being you. We are all so grateful.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman also honoured Jean saying: “By setting up Crisis, Jean is providing a lifeline for the people when they need it most. She is so deserving of this award.”
After witnessing a lack of support, guidance and counselling during her time working in the NHS, Jean set up Crisis in March 1996.
It is an early intervention service with a focus on preventative care helping people with their mental health before it develops into an emergency.
Today, Crisis has more than 90 volunteer therapists helping people across Scotland, working with children, teenagers and adults to reduce suicide and self-harm, and reduce the risks associated with poor mental health.
Around 40 per cent of the people they help are children and teenagers, along with a number of veterans who have unresolved issues from their time in the military.
The Erskine-based charity also works with migrants and asylum seekers who have experienced issues adapting to their new home or have suffered acute trauma prior to fleeing to Scotland.
Jean said: “What we do works. We give early intervention and match the therapist to the client, who they can see for as long as required. There have been times when it has been hard to keep the door open but I’m proud that we have. This award is not just for me but for all our fabulous volunteers. Crisis would not exist without them.”
TRIBUTE TO LILY DOUGLAS
THERE was a special tribute to Teenager of Courage 2021 winner Lily Douglas who lost her long battle with a rare form of cancer earlier this year.
The beautiful schoolgirl, who ‘danced her way to heaven’ in January, was remembered throughout our glittering ceremony which was attended by her family.
As well as hosts Sanjeev Kohli and Elaine C Smith honouring the bubbly teenager from the stage, every invite, menu and trophy had a lily incorporated in the design.
Lily’s Pride of Scotland award meant so much to her she was buried in the dress she wore to last year’s event and a floral tribute of the Pride angel was placed on her grave.
Her proud mum Jane said the tribute meant the world to her. She said: “We were blown away. It was so special to have lily on every invite, menu and trophy and I love how everyone did a toast to remember her. It felt like she was with us in that room. It was so nice. Lily would have loved it.
“Being at the awards made me so so proud, everyone was talking to me about my brave girl and asking how I was. It really made me beam with pride. There were a few tears but over all I felt she was right next to me cheering on the incredible winners.
“The paperwork for her charity Lily’s Legacy is about to be submitted. The dream is to have Lily’s Lake house or Lily’s Lodge - a respite holiday home for children and families with life threating conditions , and for families that may have suffered a tragic death of a child.”
- The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB, will broadcast on STV on Tuesday, July 19 at 8pm
