FROM meeting the Prime Minister to appearing on national telly, it has been quite a year for Glasgow Community Champion Award winner Heather Bryson.
However, of all the glittering events she has attended and awards she has won, ours has a special place in her heart.
“I was honoured to win,” says the 10-year-old from Robroyston.
“The night was amazing and I’ll never forget it.”
Heather’s mum Deborah adds: “It’s true – when Heather walked into the City Chambers and saw how splendid the place looked, her face was a picture. And when she heard her name read out as the Individual category winner, she was just over the moon.
“It really was a magical moment for her and of all the things she has done this year, it is right at the top of her list.”
The Glasgow Community Champion Awards are organised by the Glasgow Times and supported by Glasgow City Council, Wheatley Homes Glasgow and Trades House Glasgow. This year marks the event’s 15th anniversary and once again there will be nine trophies - Team Award, Individual Award, Public Service Award, Uniformed Services Award, Senior Award, Young Award, Health and Wellbeing Award, Sports Award and School Award - up for grabs and a public vote will decide regional winners in three areas of the city – the North East, the North West and the South.
Closing date for nominations is September 28.
Heather triumphed in our Individual category in 2021, becoming the youngest ever winner of that section.
She had 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, but she was incredibly proud of the young girl’s efforts.
Heather is also a recycling fan, and made crafts during lockdown from recycled materials, selling them to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland – she has already donated more than £1000.
After her Community Champions win, Heather was named one of 10 community heroes by funeral directors Anderson Maguire in their annual awards, and ITV’s Good Morning Britain presented her with the One Million Minutes Young Champion category prize, announced live on the show by celebrity fitness coach Joe Wicks.
Heather also made it to the finals of the Scottish Charity Awards- only the second child in the event's 16-year history to do so - and received a commendation in the Volunteer of the Year category.
To top off a spectacular 12 months, Heather was presented with a Point of Light award by Number 10 Downing Street, an initiative which recognises outstanding individuals making a change in their community, and got to meet the Prime Minister not once, but twice.
Deborah explains: “Heather was invited to Number 10 for a Best in Scotland showcase which was amazing, and then went back down just a couple of weeks ago for the Point of Light event.
“It was a fantastic day. The Prime Minister spoke to Heather but she wasn't at all fazed, she just takes these things in her stride."
Deborah adds: "I’m blown away by the response Heather has had – her dad and I just keep looking at each other and saying, things like this don’t happen to folk like us. To see our wee girl achieving so much, has just been amazing, and it all started with the Glasgow Community Champion Awards.”
HOW TO NOMINATE:
We want to hear about inspirational individuals and great groups in your area - who do you think deserves recognition for fantastic community work?
You can nominate anyone, from the hardworking coach of young person’s sports team, to a nurse who goes above and beyond the day job; from an inspirational teenager making waves at school to a pensioner who campaigns for better services.
Tell us why they should win and remember to include lots of detail and photographs to support your entry.
You can nominate on the website at https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/glasgowcommchamps/ or email linsey.hunter@localiq.co.uk For more information call 0141 302 6019.
The closing date for entries is Wednesday, September 28. A shortlist will then go to a public online vote to determine the winners in each area, who will then progress to the Grand Final at Glasgow City Chambers on December 8.
A judging panel made up of representatives from the award partners will decide the Grand Final winners.
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