Bighearted awards honour top Scots

Scotland’s unsung heroes were the stars of the show at a glittering ceremony last night.

The long-awaited Bighearted Scotland Awards 2013 at Glasgow Marriott recognised those brave and selfless people who have made sacrifices to help others.

Appearances from some well known faces, including Gordon Smith, Donald MacLeod and Paul Brannigan, added some showbiz sparkle, but it was the award winners who were the real stars of the night.

Emotions were high as guests at the glitzy bash, hosted by gorgeous former BBC weathergirl Cat Cubie, were treated to show-stopping performances by Glasgow singer Edward Reid and kids from the Ups and Downs theatre group.

Edward, who shot to fame after his audition for Britain’s Got Talent where he sang nursery rhymes to the tune of Snow Patrol’s hit Run, picked up the Entertainer of the Year accolade.

“I’m shocked and honoured,” he said. “However, the real big hearted people are the kids and their parents at Ups and Downs who commit to rehearsals every week and put on an amazing show!”

Lynn Mortimer, who channelled the grief of losing her sister to cancer into a mission to raise more than £1million for other cancer patients, was given the top honour.

Lynn’s younger sister Donna spent nine years battling malignant melanoma.

The mum-of-three believed her skin cancer which at its worst left her with 37 tumours was the result of using sunbeds.

She became determined to raise much-needed cash for cancer charities.

Before losing her battle with cancer in 2011, Donna set up the Donna Ballantyne Charitable Trust.

And after she passed away, brave Lynn, from Bothwell, Lanarkshire, took over her sister’s fundraising mission.

She’s worked tirelessly, organising countless ladies lunches and fun days.

To date, the charity has collected a whopping £1m, which has supported cancer charities and will be used to create a purpose built hospice for cancer victims in South Lanarkshire.

Last night, Lynn was delighted to collect the Bighearted Scot 2013 title which she dedicated to her sister.

“I’m extremely humbled that my late sister’s charity has been recognised and I’ve won this award,” she said.

“The Donna Mortimer Ballantyne Charitable Trust wants to continue Donna’s mission to help others suffering cancer.

“With all the help and support, we are well on our way to reaching these goals in Donna’s memory.”

Ex-squaddie David Timmins, who lost an eye and sustained brain damage after being caught in a blast in Afghanistan, was crowned Bighearted Hero of the Year.

The 32-year-old soldier, from Renfrewshire, suffered 22 horrific injuries when a hidden IED detonated while he was on patrol in Helmand Province in 2009.

The incident happened just days after brave David stepped in to save the life of colleague Matthew Weston, who lost both legs and his right arm in a similar explosion.

And ex-Scotland rugby international Graeme Morrison was named Sports Person of the Year.

Since retiring from Glasgow Warriors, Graeme has become an ambassador for Epilepsy Scotland the charity that offered invaluable support when his younger brother James was diagnosed with the condition.

Carer of the Year went to Fiona Warren, 44, who took young Jess Ryan under her wing when she had nowhere left to turn.

She proved an inspiration, helping the troubled teenager, struggling with drink and drugs after being sexually abused, transform herself into a confident young woman.

Jess, now 23, recently started a music degree, has a young son and speaks out about her abuse experience in a bid to help other victims.

Fiona, from Knockbain, near Inverness, said: “I’d like to dedicate this award to Jess and to my other two daughters who accepted her as part of the family.

“We’ve had some tough times but we’ve pulled through them together and I’m so proud of them all.”

Oldest winner Isobel Kirkwood was delighted to accept the accolade of Fundraiser of the Year.

Her husband Robert was one of the Spitfire heroes who helped turn the tide after the Battle of Britain.

When he became ill with multiple sclerosis, he was supported by the Erskine charity, a care organisation for ex-servicemen and women, for eight years until he passed away in 2003.

Seeing first hand the fantastic work they do, Isobel started fund-raising for Erskine. To date she’s collected more than £20,000.

And youngest award recipient, Jay Hulse, was named Bighearted Scotland’s Child of the Year.

The 15-year-old, from Aberdeen, has Spina Bifida but the inspirational teenager has turned his illness into a positive by using his experience to volunteer with the Scottish Spina Bifida Association and support other children struggling with the condition.

Craig Stevenson, owner of Ayrshire-based Braehead Foods, was hailed Business Person of the Year for his charitable efforts and generous donations to more than 50 Scottish causes.

Lucy Wilson, chair of Bighearted Scotland which supports CLIC Sargent, Epilepsy Scotland, Erskine, Momentum, Penumbra and the Scottish Spina Bifida Association said: “There were so many great nominees, it was a tough task choosing the winners as each and every one of them deserves the accolade.

“It was fantastic to be in the company of these brave, energetic, amazing people and hear their stories. It was an honour to sit amongst them tonight.”

Sunday Post editor Donald Martin said: “What a wonderful evening and the perfect ending to this year’s fantastic campaign. The Sunday Post, a newspaper that puts people at its very heart, is delighted to partner Bighearted Scotland in this celebration of amazing people and work that so often goes unrecognised.

“We’re proud to be able to help shine a light on unsung heroes, those who make personal sacrifices for others, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, as well as honouring personalities who use their lives in the spotlight to help those less fortunate. Best of all we’re raising much needed funds for six amazing charities.”