INSPIRATIONAL schoolgirl Jenny Cook has been hailed our Young Scot of the Year after overcoming her own illness to raise more than £100,000 for a children’s hospital.
The bubbly 13-year-old was given a standing ovation before immediately saluting her fellow
finalists at the 11th awards ceremony.
After having her large bowel removed aged just five, “Wee Jenny”, of Stewartfield, East Kilbride, became determined to improve life for fellow sufferers of ulcerative colitis.
Since then, the selfless teenager – who is a Young Ambassador for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – has raised £111,000 for them and Crohn’s charity the Catherine McEwan Foundation.
Jenny’s achievements are so impressive that Nicola Sturgeon agreed to open her new charity fundraising office in a specially customised summer house in her back garden.
The First Minister said Jenny, a first year pupil at Williamwood High, in Clarkston, Glasgow, was an “absolute inspiration”.
Jenny dedicated her award to her supporters and fellow sufferers.
The teen, who is still prone to bouts of serious illness and attends regular checkups at hospital, said: “I never dreamed it would be me. When I saw who the other finalists were and what they have achieved, I felt humbled and awed.
“I’m just doing what I can to help others suffering from conditions like Crohn’s and colitis. I’m lucky to have amazing family and friends who help me with my fundraising and support me when I’m ill.
“I love coming up with new ideas to raise money for services and research and will continue to do whatever I can to help others.”
She added: “This award is for all the young people living with an illness and for those who keep donating to make our lives better. Tonight has been incredible, one of the best of my life. I don’t think I will ever forget a minute of it.”
Jenny’s award was just one of the highlights of a sensational night of tears and cheers saluting Scotland’s most inspirational young people.
The Sunday Mail once again teamed up with youth information charity Young Scot to stage the awards ceremony.
Filled with stories of courage, determination and selflessness, the event honours the nation’s most incredible youngsters. The celebration, hosted by DJ and broadcaster Edith Bowman, was attended by celebrities from the stage and screen but the real heroes were our 36 finalists.
Cast members from EastEnders, River City, TOWIE and Hollyoaks ensured it was a night to remember for the 800 guests.
It was also a night of a thousand selfies, as fans clambered to get photographs with stars including Sunset Song heart-throb Kevin Guthrie, TOWIE brothers Jonathan and Chris Clark and Angel’s Share star Paul Brannigan.
Football freestyler and social media sensation John Farnworth got the show off to an electric start by showcasing his incredible ball juggling and acrobatic skills.
And former Young Scot winner and chart-topper Nina Nesbitt thrilled the crowd during the interval with an incredible performance of her hits Stay Out and Chewing Gum. Insane Fight Club star and Scotland’s favourite wrestler Grado got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he took to the stage to present Jenny’s Health Award.
The River City actor, of Stevenston, Ayrshire, apologised for leaving his leotard at home and revealed how time as a Young Scot youth worker gave him a real boost.
He said: “Sorry, folks, that I am not in my usual gear. My leotard is in the wash and I had to stick a suit on. I feel privileged to be here and I am proud to have worked for Young Scot. The young folk of Scotland are beyond awesome.”
There was huge applause when wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid was revealed as the winner of the sports award.
The 25-year-old’s grand slam victory at the Australian Open was one of the stand-out moments of 2016.
Gordon, who at age 12 was struck down by transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that left him paralysed from the waist down for a time, is now in training for Rio.
His coach Claire McDonald, who picked up the trophy on his behalf, said: “It has been a pleasure to watch Gordon grow into the outstanding sportsman he is today. He is a real credit to the sport, young people and Scotland.”
In a video message hailing the finalists, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Over the years, the Young Scot Awards has built on its success and is quite clearly the national event of the year which recognises and celebrates the achievements the length and breadth of Scotland.
“The finalists have all made a real difference to the lives of others and their communities. It is important to take the opportunity to admire and revel in what they’ve achieved as they deserve it.”
Rock rappers The LaFontaines brought the event to an explosive close with a three-song set.
The band caused a stir when, for a laugh, they tweeted that Hollywood legend Russell Crowe was in the audience but were stunned when the Gladiator star replied saying he wished he was.
Christine McGourty, managing director of title sponsors Scottish Gas, said: “The Young Scot awards are a highlight of our year at Scottish Gas. I am amazed by the courage, dedication and determination that shines through from all of the young people we are celebrating tonight.”
Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, said: “Congratulations to the winners, finalists and all the nominees across Scotland – your hard work and dedication has absolutely blown us away again this year.
“The awards were a huge success and are a testament to the sensational young people who make a real difference across the country.
“We hope that the amazing work, passion and achievement showcased at the awards stands as inspiration to other young people across the country.”
Sunday Mail editor Jim Wilson said: “It is again a privilege for this newspaper to help salute the achievements of Scotland’s fantastic young people. We say they are inspiring and they are but not only to other young people. They are an inspiration for those of us who, sadly, have not been Young Scots for many years.”
Roll of Honour
Young Scot of the Year: Jenny Cook, 13, East Kilbride
Sponsors Sunday Mail, Scottish Gas
Young Hero
Winner: Cameron and Duncan Hendry, 18 and 17, Balquhidder, Stirlingshire
Finalists: Lee McGinley, Calton, Glasgow; Calvin Nilsen-Barnes, 19, Troon, Ayrshire
Sponsors The Co-Op
Sport
Winner: Gordon Reid, 24, Glasgow
Finalists: Shaun Alderman, 19, Shetland; Katrina Carr, 17, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire
Sponsors sportscotland
The Arts
Winner: Estelle Maskame, 18, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
Finalists: Katie Slavin, 24, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire; Mohsen Amini, 22, Southpark, Glasgow
Health
Winner: Jenny Cook, 13, East Kilbride
Finalists: Aislin Smith, 13, Pollok, Glasgow; Betus Crew Young Volunteers, 17-23, across Scotland
Entertainment
Winner: Flora Shedden, 20, Dunkeld, Perthshire
Finalists: Jack Lowden, 25, Oxton, East Lothian; Cherry Campbell, 11, Jordanhill, Glasgow
Sponsors megabus.com
Volunteering
Winner: Alice Bowman, 18,Blairgowrie, Perthshire
Finalists: Natasha Kerr, 21, Kilmarnock; Alistair Stewart, 22, Edinburgh
Sponsors Scotch Beef PGI
Excellence in Education
Winner: Craig McHugh, 18, Cowdenbeath, Fife
Finalists: Chelsea Douglas, 22, Dumfries; Ryan Thorne, 19, Toryglen, Glasgow
Sponsors University of St Andrews
Unsung
Winner: Brynja Duthie, 15, Cupar, Fife
Finalists: Keira Rutherford, 11, Isle of Bute; Kayley Carmichael, 18, Glasgow
Environment
Winner: Junior Climate Challenge Fund Grant Panel,16-21, across Scotland
Finalists: Callum Ullman-Smith, 13, Kyle of Lochalsh; Jonathan Rainey, 21, Dumbarton
Sponsors Scottish Gas
Community
Winner: Pilmeny Youth Centre’s ‘Remembering the Leith Battalion Project’, 15-16, Edinburgh
Finalists: Greg Luczak, 16, Dunfermline, Fife; Hannah Clews, 24, Aberdeen
Sponsors Scottish Government
Enterprise
Winner: Finlay Macdonald, 17, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh
Finalists: Michael Harkins, 22, Livingston; Zack Griffin, 14, Newton Mearns, Glasgow
Sponsors My World of Work
Sponsors Solace Scotland, SEPA and Legacy 2014
