YOUNG, GIFTED AND BACK

Four of our winners pick the people who have inspired them

A champion fundraiser, a dying teenager with a heart of gold and an environmental campaigner preserving island traditions are just some of our incredible overall Young Scot winners.

Over the last 12 years, the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards have celebrated the exceptional contributions and humbling achievements of our young people.

We have recognised 386 finalists, 129 award winners and given our ultimate accolade of overall Young Scot to 11 young people.

Today, we launch our search for the stars of 2017 – the nation’s young heroes aged 11-26 who are making a difference across Scotland.

Our annual awards, sponsored by Scottish Gas, recognise young people in 12 categories, including Enterprise, Sport, Arts, Volunteering and Environment.

Finalists will attend a party at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on April 27 before winners are announced at the Clyde Auditorium.

Young Scot’s chief executive Louise Macdonald said: “We meet the most incredible young people who improve the lives of others in their communities.

“The Young Scot Awards celebrate their achievements and share their stories. Everyone knows young people who have achieved great things, so get your nominations in now.”

Scottish Gas’s managing director Christine McGourty said: “We are delighted to be involved with these inspirational awards. Young people in Scotland are making powerful changes for good in our society. It is wonderful to show the country the positive difference being made by our next generation.”

Sunday Mail editor Brendan McGinty said: “It is a privilege for this newspaper to help salute the achievements of Scotland’s young people. If anyone is in doubt that Scotland’s future is in safe hands, the nominations for our awards will reassure them.”

We asked four previous Young Scot Award winners to nominate their heroes – the young people now inspiring them.