An awards night that recognises inspirational young people in the Highlands will pay tribute to Balloch boy who died of a rare condition.
Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards (YHA) will return to Inverness in August, and one of the awards has been renamed the Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award.
It is a tribute to four-year-old Leo who died from a rare form of muscular dystrophy in 2019.
His parents will present the award on the night, and mum Louise said: “We are extremely honoured and proud to have been asked to present the newly named Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award at Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards this year.
“The change to the name is a very fitting tribute to Leo and is something that has warmed our hearts, knowing that his memory will be kept alive in this way.”
‘Overwhelmed by the support’
The awards will take place on August 26 at Drumossie Hotel in Inverness with the families of those children nominated for awards invited to attend.
The awards were dreamt up by Kelly Macrae in honour of her daughter Amelia, who was at 32 weeks, weighing just 3lb. Now nearly eight, she has global development delay, autism, epilepsy and is non-verbal.
Mrs Macrae has been fundraising for charities that have supported the family through tough times, raising more than £60,000 over the years.
She said: “I am so excited to bring Amelia’s Young highlander Awards back this year and I am overwhelmed by the support I have already had from businesses all over the Highlands and Islands.
“I’m hoping we can raise as much money as possible this year for NHS Play Specialists and Drummond School, both of whom have been a huge support to me, my family, and of course Amelia over the years.”
Nominate a child for an award
Nominations for Amelia’s Young Highlander Awards are now open and will be judged by a panel of judges from local businesses.
The categories are as follows:
- Child of Courage Award – sponsored by Macleod & MacCallum
- Amelia’s Keep on Swimming Award – sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies
- Special Sibling Award – sponsored by The Midge Bite, Achnasheen
- Child Fundraiser Award – sponsored by Clarsach
- Child Hero Award – sponsor TBC
- Leo Flett Child of Bravery Award – sponsored by Louise and Mitchell Flett
- Child Carer Award – sponsored by North Coast Cars
- The Wellbeing Child Award – sponsored by Scott’s Wellbeing and Counselling Services
- Special Recognition Award – sponsored by Mrs Lorraine Christie
- Child Community Award – sponsored by GEG Capital
This year’s event has been sponsored by Caley Timber and Building Supplies and will be presented by Liam Christie from North Highland Events.
You can find more information about each category and nominate anyone under 16 for an award here.
Conversation