Our hero Matthew
4-year-old takes a bow
Superstar Matthew Dorman has been chosen as this month’s Young Local Hero after being nominated by doting mum Coady for his “incredible strength, resilience and courage.”
Coady gave birth to Matthew ( 4) prematurely at 29 weeks in 2014.
She praised her son for his bravery following many bouts of illness and for his help raising money for Bliss Scotland, which has helped them over the years.
Matthew, who was born 11 weeks early weighing 2.5lbs, has been in and out of hospital over 150 times since birth for everything from surgery and admissions to clinic appointments and emergencies but continues to smile through it. Coady herself was nominated last year as a Local Hero for her fundraising efforts for Bliss Scotland, which is the UK’s leading charity for babies born prematurely or sick.
She said: “Since the day Matthew was born, he has fought for survival and taken everything in his stride. The odds have been stacked against him, but his strength has prevailed, and he is constantly praised by medical staff for his braveness.”
As a thank you to staff at St John’s Hospital, Coady organised Matthew’s Toddle in 2015 to raise funds for the St John’s Special Baby Care Unit, (SCBU).
Both mum and son walked over the Forth Road Bridge together, a day she thought would never happen, and raised nearly £2000. To continue to support the hospital and Bliss Scotland, who really helped them since Matthew was born, Coady signed up to be a volunteer. Since then they have taken part in many fundraisers and awareness events including the recent Lantern-lit Walk along the River Clyde on World Prematurity Day last month, where Matthew walked on his own despite being unwell the week before. Matthew has a Sunshine Fund with Bliss Scotland and to-date has raised £3284 with his fundraisers, resulting in Bliss planting a tree in his honour. Coady continued: “We are absolutely delighted Matthew, who is my true definition of Hero, has won this Young Local Hero Award. He has had a real tough time health-wise, but he smiles every single day and makes everyone around him happy. I am immensely proud of my little boy and I’m so excited to walk beside him in life and watch him grow and go on so many adventures when he’s older.” The Young Local Hero Award, in recognition of the Year of Young People 2018, was set up to highlight outstanding young people within the community that have gone the extra mile to help others.
The Centre has rewarded 12 youngsters this year, including Matthew, who have all received a £ 100 gift card to spend in The Centre and a framed certificate.
Ashley Bisland, deputy director at The Centre, Livingston said: “Matthew really is a little superstar and worthy of our Young Local Hero Award for such courage over the years and helping to raise money and awareness for Bliss Scotland too.” Courier editor Marjorie Kerr added: “Well done to Matthew, he truly he deserves his award and we’re looking forward to rewarding more young people in the future.”
If you know a youngster, whether it’s your sibling, child or friend who has gone the extra mile to help others, send an email with the details to Debbie.hall@trinitymirror.com.
I am immensely proud of my little boy