By admin - £7,500 raised and Leo Flett honoured with Special Recognition Award at Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards 2022
August 2022; Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards was back with a bang for 2022, with 14 inspirational young people from the Highlands honoured at the event which sold-out months in advance.
Returning to the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday 26th August 2022, the 12 award categories included the Child of Courage Award, Amelia's Keep on Swimming Award, Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award, Child Community Award, Special Recognition Award and two additional surprise awards on the night, including the Child Warrior Award, which will become a permanent category going forward.
Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards (AYHA) was set up by Kelly Macrae in honour of her daughter Amelia to recognise inspirational young people in the Highlands. The event is sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies and raises money for NHS Play Specialists and Drummond School. This year, the event raised £7,500 with more money expected to come through in the next few weeks.
The judging panel, which included Graham Laughton from Macleod & MacCallum, Major (Retd) John Bailey MBE, Sarah Dunn from Global Energy Group, and Donald John and Jennifer Morrison from Caley Timber and Building Supplies, had the difficult task of picking winners from the many deserving nominees. So difficult was this task that, for the first time in the award’s history, two winners were chosen for Amelia's Keep on Swimming Award and the Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award.
The winners were:
Child of Courage Award: Lola Aitken (aged 7)
For a child who receives treatment every day and carries on as best they can, sponsored by Macleod & MacCallum and Macleod & MacCallum Wealth Management Services
Amelia's Keep on Swimming Award: Hollie Morgan (aged 5) and Josie Davidson (aged 3)
For a child who started their life fighting and continues to fight every day, sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies
Special Sibling Award: Katie Steell (aged 4)
For a child who goes that extra mile to help care for their siblings, sponsored by The Midge Bite, Achnasheen
Child Fundraiser Award: Eva Morrison (aged 7)
For a child who has fundraised for charities or causes they believe in, sponsored by Clarsach
Child Hero Award: Louise Cooper (aged 7)
For a child who has acted in an emergency by calling emergency services or by giving vital support, sponsored by Dicksons of Inverness
Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award: Adeline Davidson (aged 5) and Zack Cooper (aged 6)
For a child with a long-term illness who fights every day, sponsored by Louise and Mitchell Flett
Child Carer Award: Lewis Russell (aged 12)
For a child who cares daily for a parent, sibling, friend or neighbour, sponsored by North Coast Cars
The Wellbeing Child Award: Faith Marshall (aged 14)
For a child who has overcome bullying, mental health issues, or a child who helps others when they are struggling, sponsored by Scott’s Wellbeing and Counselling Services
Special Recognition Award: Leo Flett
For a child who has sadly passed away and their family still fundraises in their memory, sponsored by Mrs Lorraine Christie
Child Community Award: Maisie Star Torley (aged 4)
For a child who went above and beyond to support their community during lockdown, sponsored by GEG Capital
An additional surprise award was announced on the night:
The Child Warrior Award, with Riley Maclennan (aged 9) being announced as the winner.
A further surprise award was given to Amelia’s sister, Savannah Kelly (aged 12), who was recognised for her fundraising for the Children’s Ward at Raigmore Hospital by ward boss Fiona McGlynn.
Child Warrior Award winner Riley Maclennan was blown away:
“I'm so happy to have been given the Child Warrior Award. It was a total surprise, even my mum and dad knew nothing about it! It's nice to think that this award will be given out every year to other Young Highlanders who deserve it.”
Speaking about the awards, Kelly Macrae said:
“I am over the moon that Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards is back and we have been able to recognise and reward the bravest and most inspirational young people in the Highlands.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all our sponsors, everyone who attended the awards and everyone who donated. I can’t thank you all enough for helping us raise £7,500, which will support Drummond School and NHS Play Specialists.
“Most of all, I’d like to thank our award winners - all of you are such an inspiration. The night was incredibly emotional but I’m so proud of all of our winners and everyone who was nominated.”
In addition to the £7,500 raised on the night, Kelly and her family have raised over £70,000 for many deserving local causes including Drummond School and the Special Care Baby and Renal units at Raigmore Hospital, which also enabled NHS Play Specialists to purchase a magic carpet and toys for the Children’s Ward.
Head judge Donald John Morrison from Caley Timber and Building Supplies added:
“Amelia's Young Highlander Awards came back with a bang. What an amazing night, what a truly inspirational group of young people and what an honour to be involved in recognising 14 young Highlanders. It is an event close to my heart and the money raised will help make life just that little bit better for the children at Raigmore Hospital and Drummond School.”
Liam Christie from North Highland Events, compère for the night, concluded:
“It’s always a pleasure to host Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards. The community spirit of the Highlands never ceases to amaze me, and this night is one where we come together to recognise some special young people and do what we can to support those organisations that they rely on.”
Global Energy Group is also a long-time supporter of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards with Sarah Dunn, Head of Communications, agreeing to be a judge this year. Speaking about the awards, she said:
“We are proud to support Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards which recognise some truly amazing young people and bring so much joy. We are already looking forward to next year.”
Other sponsors of Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards include Highland Hammer Hire, which sponsored the NHS table; Playful Paws Doggy Daycare which sponsored the Drummond School table; North Highland Events and Promotion Ltd; Inverness Trophy Centre; Aurora Design Studio; RedBeard Productions; and Whale-like-fish.