A CASTLEMILK man whose father died before he was born has defied the odds to become the first member of his family to go to university.
Conor Wallace, 22, has been hailed a hero by mum Liz after securing his place at Glasgow Caledonian University for next year.
The mother-of-two says she couldn’t be prouder of him for all he has achieved, especially after he had to grow up without his dad Neil.
Neil sadly passed away when Liz was just three months pregnant with Conor, but that hasn’t stopped him from securing his place on the International Business and Human Resource Management course and from being named as student of the year at South Lanarkshire College.
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He is also continuing to work extra hours at Tesco, in Burnside, where Liz says he is going above and beyond to help others every day.
The former St Margaret Mary’s pupil is the first of our heroes being honoured in today’s Glasgow Times as we continue to shine a light on hundreds of ordinary people doing extraordinary things during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Liz, 53, said: “My husband died with cancer when I was pregnant with Conor but he has grown up to be a really great boy and gone through college.
“We got a message the other day saying he had passed his college course and the text also said he had been named student of the year.
“He has worked really hard to get to here and I am so proud of him. He also works at Tesco and he is giving up his time to cover for people and fill in when shifts need to be filled.
“When I was younger, we didn’t really have the chances Conor has had and we are so proud to see him become the first one to go to university. There have been struggles without his father but is the hand you are dealt in life and you need to get on with it.”
Conor, who lives with his mum and stepbrother Josh, 13, is also a talented keyboard player.
Liz added: “Like everyone working in retail, he deserves so much recognition. I have seen how some people talk to staff and there’s no excuse.”
Meanwhile, two women who have dedicated their time to serving others on the frontline have been praised for all they do.
Elspeth Greenhorn and pal Nicola Watson both work in pharmacies and have had to cope with an increased demand during lockdown.
Nicola, 35, was actually nominated by Elspeth after she inspired her during their time together in Boots in Tannochside, South Lanarkshire.
Mother-of-two Nicola continues to work in the store while 32-year-old Elspeth now works in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, since making the switch in December.
Elspeth was nominated by proud mum Christine, 63, who says she is so happy to see her following her dreams after leaving the hospitality sector to become a pharmacy assistant.
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Christine, who lives in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, said: “She can get a wee bit upset by it all but she is such a strong-willed person and is just dealing with it and helping people every day.”
Meanwhile, Elspeth said of Nicola: “She works in a community pharmacy and it is unbelievable how important they are for the local community. She gets to know people and her clients and is always keeping an eye out for them. She is just a really nice person.”
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