LUCY SMITH
Special recognition
Youngest Scot diagnosed with motor neurone disease has raised over £200,000 for others and defied the odds to become a mum.
Hollywood star Eddie Redmayne led the tributes to inspirational Lucy Smith. The Oscar-winning actor told her: “Your strength, your bravery and your sheer determination is an inspiration to me and the people of Scotland. You are amazing.”
Lucy was just 19 when her life changed forever. She was about to start a business course at college when doctors told her that the limp and slurred speech she had developed were symptoms of motor neurone disease. They gave her just 18 months to live with the incurable condition.
Lucy set out to make the most of the life she had left and has been busy ticking off the 45 items on her bucket list. Now 27, she has raised more than £200,000 for charity MND Scotland to help find a cure.
Bridgerton star Ruby Barker and Holby City’s Joe McFadden were on stage to present her Special Recognition award. Ruby, who plays Marina Thompson in the hit period drama, said: “I was so excited to meet Lucy and her beautiful family. She’s a legend and a role model to everyone... definitely a great Scot.”
Strictly winner Joe said: “There are really no words to describe Lucy. She is beyond inspirational and it is a privilege to be here for her tonight.”
That determination saw Lucy and partner Tommy Smith – who she married in May – become parents against all the odds.
In February 2020, she gave birth to a son, becoming one of only five MND patients to become mothers after diagnosis. Defying doctors’ expectations and in what doctors say is a world first, she and Tommy also recently welcomed a daughter into the world.