CITY SCHOOLGIRL IN RUNNING FOR VOLUNTEER PRIZE
ASCHOOLGIRL who livestreamed exercise sessions to more than 160 care homes around the world could be named Scotland’s Volunteer of the Year.
Heather Bryson, from Robroyston, is just 10 years old and only the second child in the event’s 16-yeat history to reach the finals of the Scottish Charity Awards. A public vote decides the winners, which will be announced on June 15.
In December, she triumphed in the Glasgow Times Community Champions Awards, becoming the youngest ever winner of the Individual category.
Mum Deborah said: “It is so exciting we are very proud of Heather, to have been nominated for this award is amazing. She takes it all in her stride she doesn’t do any of this to win awards so she is always surprised when people make a fuss. But she is looking forward to the event.”
During lockdown, Heather started recycling junk to make gifts to sell for dementia services. Unable to see her beloved gran during the pandemic, she started making exercise videos for her and her fellow care home residents.
The sessions became so popular she started to host Zoom sessions and care homes from as far afield as New Zealand got on board. Heather also gave up part of her Christmas and Easter holidays to deliver food to vulnerable people, and at the weekends, she supports children and young adults with disabilities to take part in sport.
Recently, Heather met Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street as part of a “Best of Scotland” showcase event.
She said: “I can’t believe I’m a finalist for another award. I’m just so excited at the thought of wearing a new dress to the night out. My mum and dad joke I might need a trophy shelf.
“I still can’t believe I was invited to 10 Downing Street by the Prime Minister. I think mum and dad were more excited than me but I got a VIP tour of Hamley’s as well.”
Heather is currently working on a Queen’s Jubilee event, rallying together Scouts, RLSS UK, St Andrews First Aid and local groups and care homes for an “exercise extravaganza.”
You can vote for Heather on the SCVO website.