Inspirational young people from across the Highlands have been recognised for their courage, bravery and kindness at this year’s Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards, which took place at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Saturday 28th September.
Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards was set up by Kelly Macrae in honour of her daughter, Amelia Jo Kelly, to recognise inspirational young people in the Highlands.
The event is sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies and raises money for Drummond School, attended by Amelia.
Kelly and the team have raised over £90,000 so far for Drummond School, the Special Care Baby and Renal units at Raigmore Hospital, as well as enabling the NHS Play Specialists to purchase a magic carpet and toys for the Children’s Ward.
Amelia was born at 32 weeks, weighing just 3lb and was placed on a ventilator.
At age two she was diagnosed with global development delay, at age three she was diagnosed with autism and being non-verbal.
She has gut dysmotility and epilepsy and this year spent more than five months in hospital battling sepsis twice as well as endocarditis.
Having recently celebrated her 10th birthday, Amelia was able to attend the award ceremony where £16,560.47 was raised to purchase a magic carpet for Amelia and her friends to enjoy at Drummond School.
Compère for the night was Liam Christie, who has supported Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards for many years.
Commenting on the 2024 edition, Liam said:
“I always look forward to Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards.
“It is such a very special night and it’s a privilege to meet so many inspirational young people, many of whom battle and overcome unthinkable challenges at such a young age.”
The winners of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards were:
- Amelia’s Keep on Swimming Award: Bianca Cumming (aged 12), for a child who started their life fighting and continues to fight each and every day; sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies.
- Riley MacLennan Child Warrior Award: sisters Adeline Davidson and Josie Davidson (aged 7 and 5), for a child who receives treatment every day, such as chemotherapy or physiotherapy, and just carries on as best they can; sponsored by North Coast Cars and presented by namesake Riley MacLennan himself who successfully beat cancer.
- Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award: Evelyn Skye Dennison White (aged 4), for a child with a long-term illness who fights every day and continues to fight; sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies.
- Child Mentor Award: Millie Grant, Charlotte Maclean, Brooke Gallagher, Katie Beaton, who borrowed wheelchairs to support their friend and help her play wheelchair basketball competitively; sponsored by the Banister family.
- Drummond School Pupil of the Year: Elisabeth Williamson (aged 14) and Coen Shearer (aged 7), chosen by the teachers at Drummond School for a child who has made incredible progress; sponsored by Orion Group.
- Child Fundraiser Award: Maisie Star Torley (aged 7), for a child who has fundraised for charities or causes they believe in; sponsored by R. Wotherspoon Fencing, Ever So Clean Laundry and Ironing Bored.
- Special Sibling Award: Molly Douglas (aged 13), for a child who goes that extra mile to help care for their siblings and make sure they are okay; sponsored by R&B’s Inverness.
- Child Carer Award: brothers Rhys and Finn Ritchie-Mackenzie (aged 13 and 10), for a child who cares daily for a parent, sibling, friend or neighbour, often forgoing their own childhood to look after others; sponsored by Blend Salon.
- Child of Courage Award: Chloe Walmsley (aged 14), for a child who has overcome bullying, mental health issues and battles daily, yet still tries their best; sponsored by Dicksons of Inverness.
- Child Community Award: Summer Nisbet (aged 10), for a child who has given valuable support to somebody in their community; sponsored by Cru Hospitality.
- Judge’s Inspiring Young Person Award: Jacob McKenzie (aged 14), for a child who went above and beyond to support somebody in their community; sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies.
Given the difficult task of judging the awards were David Miele from Miele’s Gelateria, Scott Murray from Cru Hospitality, Karen Simpson from My Primary and Secondary Tutor and Donald John and Jennifer Morrison from Caley Timber and Building Supplies, with the Drummond School Pupil of the Year Award chosen by teachers at Drummond School.
Speaking about the nominees, Donald John Morrison said:
“It is an honour to be part of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards.
“Each year we recognise young people and celebrate their achievements with their family and friends.
“Kelly and her team do everything they can to make it a special night for them and raise money for Drummond School which is an incredible facility supporting young people with additional needs.”
Kelly added:
“This year has been tough for us as a family with Amelia in hospital for so long.
“The time I spend in the Children’s Ward and the families I meet remind me why Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards is so important.
“Thank you to everybody who supports me and my family to make this happen.
“Whether you sponsor an award, nominate a child or buy a raffle ticket, know how much this means to us.”
Other sponsors of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards include Inverness Trophy Centre; Aurora Design Studio; Miele’s Gelateria; Macdonald Drumossie Hotel; RedBeard Productions; and Whale-like-fish.
