MEET THE WINNERS
It was a case of role reversal when selfless teenager
Jenny got to meet her favourite band The Vamps, as they were there to applaud her for her fundraising achievements
FUNDRAISING dynamo Jenny Cook has her sights set on a career in TV journalism. So she jumped at the chance of a day’s work experience at STV News. But it was all part of a special plan to surprise her with a Pride of Scotland award.
She was reading the autocue, when her favourite chef Gordon Ramsay suddenly appeared on screen to break the news she is a winner.
He told a stunned Jenny: “I am so delighted to tell you that you have won the Pride of Scotland
Young Fundraiser of the Year award. We’re all proud of the amazing work you do and the way you always put other people first before yourself.”
And her favourite band The
Vamps were waiting in another room to present the trophy.
Jenny has spent more than a decade raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to help children like her who face serious health problems. Jenny first fell ill with excruciating stomach pains when she was just five. After a series of tests she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic,
Inspirational: incurable condition, and needed three major operations to remove her large intestine. Despite her own health issues, Jenny dedicates her free time to fundraising for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital and the Catherine McEwan Foundation, which supports people living with IBD.
She held her first event when she was five – a cheese and wine night at her primary school, which raised £5,000. Twelve years later, her total from events stands at nearly £500,000.
Jenny also does talks to create awareness of her condition. She has also volunteered as a hospital buddy, meeting and supporting other young patients.
Now a Young Ambassador for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Jenny, 17 organises fundraising events all year round from a customised office in her garden.
AFTER a career inspiring the nation with his leadership on the rugby pitch, Doddie is now inspiring us all with his courage and dignity in the face of a devastating illness.
Thursday night’s show includes powerful tributes to Doddie from stars of the world of rugby and beyond, including Scott Hastings, Gregor Townsend, Johnny Wilkinson, Katherine Jenkins, Carol Vorderman, Mike Tindall and Clare Balding.
And he receives his trophy from friend and former Scotland team-mate Gary Armstrong, helped by Doddie’s son Ben in an emotional surprise moment at the family farm.
Doddie earned 61 caps for
Scotland and toured with the British and Irish Lions.
With his big personality, and trademark blue and yellow tartan suit, he was always the life of the party.
In 2017 Doddie revealed he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The condition has no cure and a life expectancy of one to five years following diagnosis. In Doddie’s case, doctors told him he would be in a wheelchair in 12 months.
Determined to help others facing the same plight, Doddie and close friends and supporters, launched My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to help fund research into
MND and support fellow sufferers. To date the Charity has committed £5.8 million to MND Research.
In addition, the charity has given almost £1million to MND Scotland and MND Association to administer as grants on their behalf. This money has helped hundreds of people living with MND.
Meanwhile, the inspirational sportsman who never ducked a challenge on the pitch, continues to defy the odds. While he has lost power in his hands, arms and neck, he is still going to his boys’ rugby matches and leading his charity from the front.