Hope Gordon wins Young Scot award
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Hope Gordon, from Rogart, was announced last night as one of the winners of the prestigious Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2020.
Hope (24) was the recipient of the Sporting Award.
She crowdfunded £10,000 to have her leg amputated after suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and has since become a top para-canoeist.
Yesterday, the awards took place online on young.scot. The thousands of guests who joined the virtual ceremony last night were entertained by performances from Scotland’s Be Charlotte and Intercultural Youth Scotland.
BBC presenter and DJ Gemma Cairney hosted the evening with celebrity presenters including Rivercity’s Leah MacRae and Stephen Purdon.
Now in their 14th year, the awards showcase the incredible stories of inspiring young people across 13 categories. This year’s winners join a prestigious rollcall of previous winners including actor Karen Gillan and YouTube star and make-up artists Jamie Genevieve, alongside world class athletes including Sir Andy Murray and Olympian Laura Muir.
Hope Gordon said: "It's a honor to receive the sporting award and I hope it inspires others to embrace their differences and challenge themselves. Everyone is different and it's just about finding a sport that works for you."
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, was one of the first to congratulate the winners. She said: "I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to each and every one of the finalists. The work you've done is remarkable and whether your story is one of volunteering, excelling at a particular activity or campaigning on an important issue, you all deserve enormous credit. The contributions you have made to your communities, both locally and nationally, is both inspiring and hugely appreciated.”
Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive, of Young Scot, said: “Scotland has so many incredible young people doing outstanding things to change lives in their communities and beyond every day. Congratulations to the winners, finalists and nominees who have shown dedication, passion, and excellence in their achievements. In this tough year – it is amazing to hear their uplifting stories.”
Award host, Gemma Cairney added: “I was thrilled to host the first-ever online Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. It was an unforgettable experience and I’m so inspired by the winners' stories, achievements and the contributions they’ve been making to communities all over Scotland.”
Lorna Hughes, editor, Sunday Mail said: “Every year, we at the Sunday Mail look forward to being a part of this exciting celebration. The Awards bring forward the best and brightest of Scotland’s young people and this year was no exception. We’re absolutely blown away by their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our nation.”
