KEIRAN REID Child Of Courage
School boy has raised thousands for his local RNLI in memory of his fisherman father who was tragically taken by the sea.
Keiran Reid could not stop grinning when he received his Child of Courage award from football legend Allan McGregor and TV sports presenter Eilidh Barbour.
The 12-year-old, from Avoch, on the Black Isle, was honoured after raising thousands for his local RNLI in memory of his fisherman father who was tragically taken by the sea.
Scotland and Rangers goalie Allan was full of praise for the youngster saying: “For one so young, Keiran has shown remarkable resilience. He lost his dad but has continued to make a difference in his memory and by raising money will help save lives.”
Eilidh added: “It’s an honour to be here to celebrate the achievements of such an incredible young man.”
The schoolboy was just six when fisherman Craig, 25, was washed overboard from the trawler Apollo in a gale-force storm off Orkney.
A search involving helicopters, the Kessock Lifeboat and French and American aircraft diverted from a Nato exercise was stood down after nine hours. Three months later, another fishing boat found Craig’s body.
Just weeks after his father’s death, Keiran started raising money for the local rescue team who had searched so tirelessly for his dad .
Five years on, he’s helped to raise £10,000 for the RNLI and when he is old enough he wants to join the volunteer crew who have become like family. Stan McCrae, operations manager at Kessock Lifeboat Station, said: “The whole crew are very proud of Keiran.”
Keiran said: “Fundraising is my way of thanking and remembering my dad. Helping to raise money for my local North Kessock Lifeboat team makes sure he won’t be forgotten. I plan to keep raising money for the RNLI, they have made me more than welcome over the years.”
Keiran had already had a huge football surprise before the Awards, when Scotland and Liverpool star Andy Robertson broke the news to him that he was a winner on a special visit to Scotland training.