Emma and Jamie are Points of Light

Edinburgh teenagers Emma Sutherland and Jamie McIntosh have received Points of Light awards in recognition of their work for cancer charities. 

Set up and administered by The Prime Minister’s Office, the Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Since it’s launch last year 328 people have received an Award.

Teenagers Emma (pictured above) and Jamie have both written books telling the stories of their mothers’ cancer diagnoses. When Emma’s mother, Rosie, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Emma didn’t know where to look for answers. She wrote Eek! My Mummy Has Breast Cancer to help other teens in the same situation.

Jamie met Emma after his mother, Monica, lost her 17-year battle with cancer. Emma inspired him to write My Mum Monica, a book about her life and the emotional rollercoaster of bereavement.

So far, Emma’s book has sold 1,800 copies and is available in Maggie’s Centres across the UK, as well as schools and libraries. Jamie’s book has sold 500 copies, raising £2,000 for the charity Fight Against Cancer Edinburgh.

Also recognised in August was Penicuik’s Lesley Anderson.

Lesley lost her son Chris when he was stillborn at 29 weeks and set up ComforTED as a way to help other parents of stillborn babies through their bereavement. ComforTED provides a pair of handmade teddies – one to be buried with the baby and one for parents to keep. Lesley has now sent over 900 pairs of teddies around the world.

Congratulations to them all.