Inspirational young people in Highlands to be honoured with awards
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Inspirational young people in the Highlands and Islands are set to be recognised in an awards scheme honouring a young girl with complex needs.
Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards (AYHA), now in their fourth year, were set up by Kelly Macrae whose daughter Amelia (8) has complex needs and is also non-verbal.
The categories range from Child of Courage Award to Child Carer Award.
The awards, sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies, will take place at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on September 1 and will be compered by former MFR Breakfast Show presenters Dan Gilchrist and Grace Nicoll.
They will raise money for Drummond School in Inverness which provides education for pupils with additional support needs.
It is also hoped to raise money to enable Amelia to continue speech and language therapy with specialists in London's Harley Street.
Amelia was born at 32 weeks, weighing just 3lb and was placed on a ventilator.
She was diagnosed with global development delay at the age of two, and with autism and being non-verbal at the age of three.
During various challenges, her mother made a promise that for every year of Amelia’s fight, she would raise funds for a charity for her birthday. Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards 2023 will mark Amelia’s ninth birthday.
So far the family has raised over £70,000 which has supported Drummond School, NHS Play Specialists, and the Special Care Baby and Renal units at Raigmore Hospital.
"I am so excited about this year’s Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards," Mrs Macrae said.
"This year we are raising money for Drummond School, which provides excellent education to my daughter Amelia and many other young people with additional support needs.
"We also hope to raise money to enable us to continue Amelia’s speech and language therapy with specialists in Harley Street.
"As ever, I am humbled by the generosity of people in the Highlands with local businesses supporting us either through sponsorship or donating prizes. I hope to recognise outstanding Young Highlanders on the night."
Deserving young people can be nominated for the awards if they are under 16 years of age. The nomination must be made by a person over 18 and that person must have the consent of the family.
Sponors are still being sought for some award categories which are:
- Child of Courage Award – available for sponsorship
- Amelia's Keep on Swimming Award – sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies
- Special Sibling Award – available for sponsorship
- Child Fundraiser Award - available for sponsorship
- Child Mentor Award – sponsored by Dicksons of Inverness
- Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award – available for sponsorship
- Child Carer Award – available for sponsorship
- Riley Maclennan Child Warrior Award- sponsored by North Coast Cars
- Child Achievement Award – available for sponsorship
- Child Community Award – available for sponsorship
Sponsors include Aurora Design Studio and Whale-like-fish.
Nominations will be judged by a panel made up of representatives from local businesses, many of whom have supported the awards since the beginning.
Co-host Grace Nicoll said: "Over the years we have seen families struggling with many different aspects of life and it is incredibly powerful when a community gets behind them.
"This is another example of how there is huge community spirit alive in the Highlands and Amelia and her family are stars in their own right."
Drummond School headteacher Mark Elvines said Amelia and Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards held a special place in everyone's hearts at the school.
"Last year, we were able to purchase equipment for our pupils to be active outside, including a trampoline that will be installed soon, which has brought so much joy to our pupils," he said.
"More than that, the evening is a celebration of some very special young people in the Highlands."
Go to www.younghighlanderawards.co.uk/vote-now to nominate a child.
Businesses interested in sponsoring an award category should email ameliascbu@gmail.com.
