Stars shine on night of delight
mental health charities. From continually ascending and descending Ben Nevis for 11 days to attempting to squat 500,000kg in 24 hours, Fergus has taken part in a host of punishing challenges to raise the cash for the Movember campaign.
The former Stewart’s Melville College pupil was named our Health & Wellbeing champion before being crowned the overall winner.
Picking up his award from Britain’s most successful Olympic swimmer, Duncan Scott, Fergus said: “By doing challenges and raising as much as I can for men’s mental health charities, I hope I can help other young men to open up, share their feelings and not suffer in silence. Talking saves lives.”
The Sunday Mail again teamed up with youth information charity Young Scot to stage the glittering awards at Edinburgh’s EICC hosted by Radio 1 DJ and TV star Gemma Cairney. She said: “I’m blown away by all the finalists. The stories moved me to tears.”
A host of celebs including radio stars Grant Stott, Garry Spence and Steven Mill, presenters Amy Irons and Laura Boyd and River City’s Darren Brownlie and Gail Watson attended the event on Wednesday night. Scot Squad’s Jordan Young and wrestler/actor Lee Greig also celebrated with our 37 finalists.
Among those honoured was comedian Paul Black, who won the Entertainment Award. He said: “I’m delighted to be recognised but feel a bit guilty as the rest of the young people here have been saving the world while I make TikToks.”
One of the biggest cheers went to our Sports Award winners, Winter Olympic gold medallist curler Hailey Duff and Winter Paralympic skiing golden boys Neil and Andrew Simpson. Singer Aaron Smith, who received the Rising Star award, provided the entertainment.
Sunday Mail editor Lorna Hughes said: “It’s a privilege to once again be championing young people from across the country, who every day, despite huge adversity, are making positive changes for themselves and others. Each one is inspiring, driven, , caring and fearless and we salute them.” Young Scot boss Kirsten Urquhart said: “It’s brilliant to have the awards back in all their glory to celebrate Scotland’s young people, who do so o much to inspire, support and motivate those around them.”