Young Scot Awards 2008: The Winners Speak

Mar 23 2008

IT was the event of the year with wall to wall celebrities - but it was our inspirational Young Scot winners who stole the show.

From improving health care and reducing poverty to preserving local history, our winners are the pride of the nation.

X Factor champ Leon Jackson, of Whitburn, West Lothian, scooped our entertainment award.

The 19-year-old - who scored a No.1 with When You Believe - dedicated his accolade to mum Wendy, 40.

He said: "I feel like I've won an Oscar. This time last year I was helping set up a new Gap store. Life's changed big time.

"It means a lot to me that people in Scotland like my music."

Lacine Cherif, 16, of Glasgow, has inspired youngsters by signing for Rangers following a traumatic childhood.

Lacine - who scooped our cultural diversity award - fled the Ivory Coast after witnessing his father's execution.

He now volunteers for the Red Cross, who found him wandering the streets of Scotland aged just 12.

He said: "I'm ecstatic. I want to continue to help charities and fulfil my true potential here in Scotland.

"This is nowmy home and I thank you all for making me so welcome."

Sports winner Lianne Rundell beat tennis ace Jamie Murray and Scotland footballer Alan Hutton to our title.

The 19-year-old, of Shotts, Lanarkshire, has just signed for Rangers Ladies but dedicates her free time to training youngsters in numerous sports.

Lianne - who received her trophy from Mark McGhee, manager of her local SPL team Motherwell FC - said: "What I do makes a small difference.

"I'm humbled when I see what other youngsters have achieved."

Mark added: "I'm extremely pleased a local girl won ahead of professionals."

Our health champs were Dundee's The View - not the rock group but Dominic Gowans, 16, Blaire McLeod, 16, and Rebecca Greig, 19, who help train health workers to be aware of youngsters' needs.

Dominic said: "Young people should take inspiration from these awards to help make Scotland a better place."

Scott Palmer, 18, secured our heritage award for preserving the mining spirit in his village of Auchinleck, Ayrshire.

Scott, a member of the Auchinleck Summer Project, transformed a "mawkit" piece of land into a miners' memorial walk. He said: "Young folk care about our heritage and history. Helping to preserve my local culture has turned my life around."

Nick Henderson, 19, and Jacky Cheun, 20, of Dundee, won our democracy and citizenship prize for forming anti-poverty campaign group Youth End Poverty.

Nick said: "This is just the beginning - we plan to help many more."

Chart-topper Amy Macdonald took a 150-mile taxi journey from Aberdeen to ensure she could pick up her music award in person.

The 20-year-old Mr Rock & Roll singer, of Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, said: "It's a real honour to win when there are so many amazing young Scots musicians out there.

"I don't feel worthy. Everything is going so well and this award is the icing on the cake."

Rosie McLean and Sam Swinton, both 17, picked up the arts award on behalf of the Tail Feathers project in Biggar, Lanarkshire.

They created four spectacular swan sculptures in Biggar Public Park to commemorate 100 years of local history.

Rosie said: "I'm really surprised we won but it shows you can give something back to the community."

Gillian Watt, 17, of Wishaw, Lanarkshire, scooped our volunteering award for giving dance lessons at Clyde Valley High in a bid to get pupils exercising.

She said: "This is a real honour and totally unexpected."

Stuart Dale, 16, and James Clements, 15, of Newton Mearns, Glasgow, made £5000 last year running under-18 club nights. Stuart said: "We never dreamed we'd win. The award will give us a platform to develop our enterprise."

Our Unsung Hero was Graeme Hay, 19, of Cullen, Morayshire, who has volunteered more than 700 hours with local Red Cross.

Graeme, who has tackled cliff and sea rescues, said: "I'm shocked to win but hope I inspire others."

Community champ Aimee Gilmour, 12, of Rothesay, got more votes than anyone in Young Scot history.

The singer - an ambassador for actor David Hayman's charity Spirit Aid - received the most nominations ever from residents on the Isle of Bute.

Aimee said: "I want to help as many people as possible, here and worldwide."