A GLASGOW schoolgirl whose home-made videos help care home residents get active and beat loneliness has won a national award.
Heather Bryson, who is nine, won the Good Morning Britain One Million Minutes Young Champion category, announced live on the ITV show by celebrity fitness coach Joe Wicks.
Joe said: “I’ve seen the work you do, Heather, and it’s incredible – I’m blown away by your energy, your love and your passion for helping other people all over the world get active and pick up their mood. What you’ve done for people in care homes is inspiring.”
GMB presenters Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard also congratulated Heather, who was over the moon when she realised she had won.
Ben told her: “You absolutely epitomised what we were looking for in the Young Loneliness Champion award and we want to thank you for everything you have done for people all over the world.”
Watching at home, because Covid restrictions meant a face to face presentation could not take place, Heather was hugged by her delighted parents Deborah and Gary, and said: “It feels so good.”
The prestigious GMB award marked a hat-trick of big wins for Heather, from Robroyston, who took home the Individual trophy in the Glasgow Times Community Champions Awards in December and was named one of 10 community heroes by funeral directors Anderson Maguire in their annual awards.
She is the youngest ever Individual winner at our Community Champions awards, supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Housing Association and Trades House Glasgow.
Heather started making videos for her gran who was living in a care home, and they quickly became popular with other residents.
Soon, people from as far afield as New Zealand were tuning in to take part in chair exercises. Sadly, Heather’s gran died recently.
“We are so proud of Heather and I know her gran would be too,” said Deborah. “It’s been fantastic, she is so proud of winning the GMB award, and of becoming a Glasgow Times Community Champion – that just meant the world to her.”
READ MORE: Heather and Che steal the show at Glasgow Community Champions 2021
Heather also made crafts and sold them to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland – she has already donated more than £1000.
“I wanted to be a YouTuber and my mum said why don’t we do it for something good,” she told Ben and Kate.
“Now people from all over the world have watched my videos. People clap along with me doing the exercises. I can see their smiles everyday and that’s absolutely brilliant.”
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