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Josh Watt with Lorraine Kelly
Bighearted Scot of the Year 2008 - Josh Watt
Josh, aged 11, from Aberdeen has been learning to come to terms with his mother's sudden death, at Easter from epilepsy, by fundraising for others. With the support of his grandfather Gavin Watt, who is also now Josh's guardian and his head teacher Pam Michie and his school fiends from 'Mile End School' in Aberdeen Josh has raised a really fantastic £1,055 for Epilepsy Scotland and has no plans to stop there! Josh was his mum Tracy's primary carer as his mum did not have anyone else at home to help. Tracy was diagnosed with epilepsy at birth and Josh has had a very active role in caring for her throughout his short life. Josh helped his mum on a day to day basis and when necessary was able to phone for an ambulance when her condition required it.. After her unexpected death in her sleep Josh involved himself in several fundraising activities being: Holding and selling goods at a stall at the school picnic, helping to write and make the programmes for a school church service and school recital programme, organising a football grid game and football quiz for fellow pupils, and holding a teddy bear picnic raffle after persuading a teacher to donate the 'ted'. Josh himself said "I just started raising money after my mum died because I wanted to try and do something to help people who have epilepsy". Josh's grandfather Gavin Watt has said that the fact Tracy died in her sleep and that Josh did not have the chance to help her, has left Josh with the feeling that he has 'let her down'. Josh finished primary school in June and has been told to 'take a break' over the summer holidays from fundraising as he is still so keen to do more and says he still has loads of plans to raise money for people with epilepsy. Josh is a very brave little boy who as you can read from his own quote has a very mature head on his shoulders. He grandfather and school teachers are rightly very proud and impressed with how he is channelling his grief for his mother through thinking of others. I've spoken with Josh and could not help but be bowled over by him; while he was telling me very matter of factly about his fundraising and why he had chosen to give the money to an Epilepsy Charity it was very hard not to be impressed by such a warm and giving little boy who is coping with a very difficult period in his life very impressively indeed. At a time when most of us would turn into ourselves Josh into ourselves Josh has done quite the opposite he has opened himself up to giving his help to so many more people. I feel Josh would be a worthy ambassador to hold the title of Bighearted Scotland's 'Child of the Year' award. Josh is articulate, focused on what he is doing and a very inspiring.
All the Bighearted Scots
All our wonderful Bighearted Scots (left to right) Jim McGregor (on behalf of Ewan McGregor), Susan Haughey, Jonathan Burns (on behalf of Tommy Burns), Josh Watt, Carol Humphreys, Chelsea Cameron, James Mortimer, Robin Hood
Bighearted Child of the Year 2008 - Chelsea Cameron
Chelsea with Lorraine Kelly and Nicola Sturgeon
A few words from Chelsea's mum
My daughter Chelsea, aged 9, saved my life, when I had a huge seizure in April 2008. I had epilepsy as a baby but the seizures stopped when I was 13. They came back three years ago when Chelsea was six years old. There's just the two of us. I have tonic clonic cluster seizures: I fall down and I am unconscious for several minutes at a time. Chelsea was scared at first, but I explained what epilepsy was to her. Chelsea has been looking after me since. She makes sure I have taken my medicine and that I am eating. She helps with housework. She is a wonderful young carer. A few months ago I took a major seizure while I was visiting my mum, I just went down and nearly hit my head on the fireplace. I had already had a couple of seizures that day. Mum phoned the doctor when I started choking. She was told to hang up and dial 999, Chelsea got a pillow under my head, she turned me on my left side and put me in the recovery position. She held my hand and tried to reassure me, she put a towel under my mouth in case I was sick. She opened my mouth to help me breathe and clear my airway before I was sick. Her quick thinking saved my life.
Bighearted Business Person of the Year 2008 - James Mortimer
A very happy James Mortimer with Lorraine Kelly, Nicola Sturgeon and the sponsors - Action Coach - story coming soon
Outstanding Contribution to the Community 2008 - Susan Haughey
Susan Haughey with Lorraine Kelly, Nicola Sturgeon, Jackie Bird and sponsor News of the World
In 1985 Susan and her husband Willie started up City Refrigeration, a Glasgow company that now employs just over 10,000 people and with a turnover in excess of £220m. They also have interests in a leisure company and property development.
Despite the ability to live a life of ease Susan has devoted a lot of her time to charitable works and a particular favourite has been Cystic Fibrosis. Susan has held fundraising Ladies Lunches which were a great success and in the past five years, Susan has helped to raise over £200,000 for this particular charity.
In 2003 Susan and her two nieces were part of a team that walked the Great Wall of China to raise funds for St. Andrew's Hospice (they raised over £40,000)
Here are some of the others she has also helped through the City Charitable Trust that she and Willie have set up. She has donated £100k to the Special Olympics, £150k to Emmaus (to help build houses for the homeless) £250k to build fresh water wells in Africa, £100k to Schools Enterprise in Scotland, £100k to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, £100k to the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust and over £100k to the Maggie's Centre
She is also a great champion of many other charities, which include Cash for Kids, NCH Action for Children, Marie Curie, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Yorkhill Children's Foundation to name a few. Susan and Willie are great supporters of the local school, Holyrood, that they both attended, and recently donated £20,000 to help them with an Anti Drugs Campaign. Susan and Willie have donated over £3m to charity, they are great believers in giving something back.
Special Achievement Award 2008
Robin Hood - image and story to follow
Bighearted Sportsperson of the Year 2008
Tommy Burns - image (of Jonathan Burns) and story coming soon
Bighearted Entertainer of the Year 2008
Ewan McGregor - image (of Jim McGregor) and story to follow soon
Bighearted Fundraiser of the Year 2008
Carol Humphreys - image and story coming soon