Little Zac Gunn grins from ear to ear as he lifts his well-deserved Child of Courage gong at the Pride of Scotland Awards.
Described as a “wee warrior” by mum Ashley, four-year-old Zac’s resilience and zest for life since being diagnosed with life-limiting heart disease pulmonary hypertension in 2019 are an inspiration.
Zac stole the show at the ceremony in Edinburgh, where he was surprised on stage by his favourite Paw Patrol characters Rubble, Skye and Marshall.
Mum Ashley said: “Zac seems to have a special effect on everyone he meets and he deserves to keep on living.”
Zac’s condition means his heart struggles to pump blood around the body and he was so ill in 2019 doctors feared he would may not make that Christmas.
The lad, from Motherwell, Lanarkshire, is waiting for a lung transplant, and carries a pump on his back to administer medicine.
After presenting him with his award, Olympic curler Eve Muirhead, 32, said: “To show such bravery and determination despite being so
ill is awe-inspiring.”
Other winners included Stevie Carr, 56, of Perth, who got the Special Recognition award for rescuing 50 orphaned children from war-torn Ukraine.
Stevie founded the Dnipro Kids charity in 2005 and, after the city came under attack from Russian forces, he organised a bus from Dnipro to Lviv to transport the children to safety.
Stevie said: “These kids are amazing.”
Singer Lulu, 73, presented Jack Smyth with his Prince’s Trust Young Achiever award. Welder Jack, 26, from Clydebank, overcame severe illness to set up his sculpture company Salvaged Metal Art.
Lulu treated Jack to a live performance of her hit Shout, and paid tribute, saying: “Jack is a true example to others.”
Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, 40, sent a video message to Special Recognition award winner Lucy Smith, 28.
The youngest Scot to be diagnosed with motor neurone disease, Lucy has raised more than £250,000 for others suffering with the disease. Eddie, who played the late Stephen Hawking,
who also had MND, said: “Lucy, you are amazing.”
Watch the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB on STV in Scotland and on STV Player on Tuesday at 8pm.
