Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate the courage and selflessness of people from all walks of life
A special showcase will honour the unsung heroes and heroines who go the extra mile to help others and make our nation great
PRIDE of Britain has become a much-loved national institution – and we are thrilled to announce the star-studded celebration of humanity is coming north of the border. For two decades, Pride of Britain has brought together royalty, prime ministers, sporting legends and some of the world’s biggest stars to celebrate the achievements of amazing people. Many of the winners have been extraordinary Scots – prompting the team behind the famous People’s Oscars to bring the magic to Scotland. We are delighted to be teaming up with our sister paper the Mirror and TSB to help make the first Pride of Scotland a glittering and roaring success.
The Daily Record and Sunday Mail have been honouring the nation’s unsung heroes for more than 30 years at our annual awards, and Pride of Scotland is set to be our biggest event yet.
The winners of the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, in partnership with TSB, will be honoured before an audience of well kent faces from the worlds of TV, sport, entertainment and politics at a glitzy ceremony in Edinburgh in June, which will be screened as a prime time special on STV.
These awards will celebrate the spirit of our country and will showcase individuals who make our nation great. From bravery in the face of adversity to instinctive acts of courage – it’s time to share your inspirational stories. And we need you to tell us about unsung heroes you know by nominating them for the awards.
It might be a neighbour who has shown tireless commitment to their community or a friend whose sacrifice has helped others.
We will be shining a spotlight on “ordinary” people who do extraordinary things without expecting a reward.
In telling their stories, we’ll be shouting loud and proud about the values and character that shape our country.
When it comes to courage, resilience, compassion and generosity no one can compete with the Scots – and we want these awards to showcase that indomitable spirit. You only have
to look at the wealth of Scots who are past Pride of Britain winners to understand why launching Pride of Scotland is a no-brainer.
People such as Ryan McLaughlin, from Glasgow, who was just 14 when he set up the Shine On Scotland campaign, after seeing his mum suffer with multiple sclerosis and lobbied the Government to educate GPs about the importance of vitamin D.
Following a YouTube campaign, Ryan, now 23, supported by the MS Society, organised and led a 200-strong march to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh where he persuaded MSPs to implement a public awareness programme.
He was surprised by comic Russell Brand with the news he had won the award in a hilarious moment from the 2010 show.
Then there’s Elaine Wyllie, 64, from Burntisland in Fife, who devised the groundbreaking Daily Mile scheme, where pupils run or walk a mile every day, virtually eliminating obesity at her school in Stirling. She received her award from chef Gordon Ramsay, who led a heartwarming parade of her pupils on to the stage to say thanks.
Since winning her award in 2015, her brilliant idea is transforming kids’ health all over the world.
Others honoured include 2007’s Outstanding Bravery winners John Smeaton, Michael Kerr, Alex McIlveen and Stephen Clarkson, who risked their own lives to tackle the two terrorists who had smashed a car into Glasgow Airport, thrown a firebomb and were attempting to light gas canisters in the boot.
And selfless people like 80-year-old Betty McGlinchey, who grew up in Glasgow. She won a Special Recognition award in 2012 after taking in her best friend’s two young daughters after she died and going on to foster more than 1300 often troubled children and young people.
Then there were 2014 Outstanding Bravery winners, nurse Agnes Malcolmson, 59, and hospital store room worker Danny Turner, 56, who tackled a man who walked into Glasgow Royal Infirmary, set himself on fire and was heading towards the maternity ward.
And community warriors like Fraser Johnston, from Falkirk, who scooped the TSB Community Partner award in 2017, after helping to set up Cycling Without Age and giving isolated elderly people a new lease of life by taking them for countryside rides on a trishaw bike, which has a seat for two fastened to the front.
Then there were young heroes such as 10-year-old Edward Mills, from Dunnet, near Thurso, who picked up the Young Fundraiser award in 2018 when, aged eight, he became the youngest climber to scale the 440ft Old Man of Hoy, raising more than £30,000 for a cancer charity in honour of his terminally-ill mother.
Or philanthropists such as last year’s Special Recognition winners Josh Littlejohn, 33, from Edinburgh, and Alice Thompson, 28, from Dornoch, Sutherland, who started a sandwich shop to raise money for social causes and are now leading Social Bite, a national movement to eradicate homelessness.
If you know someone as inspirational as Elaine, as courageous as Agnes or as big-hearted as Betty, then nominate them today.
Nominations close at midnight on Friday April 17, 2020.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I see on a daily basis the incredible contribution that people from all walks of life and from all across Scotland make to our country.
“Even the smallest acts can make a vital difference and the Pride of Scotland Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate the valuable contribution that so many individuals make, whether through acts of bravery, battling adversity or selfless work in their communities.
“I strongly encourage anyone who knows of an individual or group whose actions or work deserve to be more widely recognised to look at the categories and nominate them for one of this year’s awards.”
Debbie Crosbie, CEO, TSB, said: “As a nation we have a great sense of community, so I’m looking forward to finding out how Scotland’s many unsung heroes have helped their communities to prosper and celebrating their achievements at the Awards in June.”
Even the smallest acts can make a vital difference
NICOLA STURGEON ON CONTRIBUTION MADE TO SCOTLAND