Tag: Brave Heart Awards

Scottish Ambulance Service staff and volunteers awarded for acts of bravery and heroism

A Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) call handler along with SAS volunteers, members of the public and two youngsters have been rewarded for their bravery at this year’s Brave@Heart awards.

The Brave@Heart Awards celebrate acts of bravery in exceptional circumstances by blue-light services, voluntary rescue organisations and members of the public.

Claire Morrow Taylor, Claire Weller, Alison Mckay, Jackie King, Alister Brown, Richie Batho, Craig Scott, Ben Kilner, Stephen Kilner, Jacob Bothwell and Jayden Fox all collected Brave@Heart certificates on Tuesday (October 3) at an award ceremony in Edinburgh Castle attended by Stephen Massetti, SAS’s Director of National Operations, and presented by First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Claire Morrow Taylor, an Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) call handler based at SAS’s West ACC, helped save a life of a member of the public who was lying on a road in Glasgow.

Her award submission said: “She immediately took control of the situation, instructing her husband to direct traffic around the incident whilst she called 999 to request an ambulance and attended to the patient. Claire, a non-clinical member of staff, demonstrated that she lives and breathes the SAS and NHS’s core values – we are proud of her actions and feel lucky to have Claire as part of the SAS Team.”

Claire Weller, a SAS Wildcat Cardiac Responder, along with Alison Mckay and Jackie King, all members of the Findhorn Coastal Rowing Club, came to the aid of their crewmate MacLean MacLeod when he suddenly collapsed in April 2022. 

Their award submission said: “They immediately recognised what had occurred and could see that MacLean wasn’t breathing and had no pulse; Claire quickly began CPR chest compressions, along with Alison, and instructed the other crew members to dial 999 and access the nearest defibrillator for deployment at the scene. Jackie, who was out walking at the time, delivered two of the AED shocks.”

MacLean was transferred by ambulance to Dr Gray’s hospital and has since made a full recovery. At the time, he said: “I would not be here today were it not for Captain Claire and the crew.”

Alister Brown, a community First Responder at Largs was meeting his friend Jim Stevenson at Largs Golf Club in March 2022.  However, Jim arrived breathless and then collapsed shortly thereafter. 

His award submission said: “On examination, he realised Jim wasn’t breathing and his training kicked in. He began CPR whilst also calling for assistance to deploy the defibrillator which was located on the golf club premises. On one shock, things started moving and signs of survival were visible.”

At the time, Jim said: “I wouldn’t be here today. It’s simple – this is life-saving work.”

Richie Batho, Craig Scott, Ben Kilner and Stephen Kilner attended to a man who took unwell in the grounds of The Unit Gym and Fitness centre in Banchory. 

Their submission said: “The group realised the patient was unconscious and in cardiac arrest. They immediately commenced CPR taking turns and were able to give four shocks with the Automated External Defibrillator which was on the premises.”

Young Jayden Fox, 14 of Kirkcaldy, was on holiday in Banchory with his grandfather Bill Fox suffered a cardiac arrest. 

His award submission said: “Jayden sprang into action and commenced performing CPR on his grandfather even before emergency crews arrived on the scene.  He remained calm and collected throughout and continued performing CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene which led to a positive outcome for Bill.”

Jacob Bothwell, 11 of Montrose, was at home when his mother became unwell in February 2022. 

The award submission said: “Young Jacob smartly dialled 999 from his mother’s mobile to ask for assistance from police and ambulance services. Jacob managed to call for assistance and contact his father who was out of the house on work on the day as well.  In addition to this, he looked after younger siblings simultaneously to ensure they were not panicking as well.”

SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “The actions of all the Brave@Heart recipients are truly commendable and they have each showed extraordinary bravery.

“All our staff and volunteers do amazing, lifesaving work each day. They are all wonderful ambassadors for the Scottish Ambulance Service and their communities and are fully deserving of their awards.

“I’d like also to commend the actions of the members of the public, including the two youngsters who did amazing jobs to help relatives.”

Honouring Scotland’s Heroes

Fallen police officers among Brave@Heart Award winners

Two police officers killed in the line of duty have been honoured with posthumous Brave@Heart Awards by the First Minister.

Constable George Taylor was murdered in 1976 after two restricted patients absconded from the State Hospital in Carstairs. Detective Sergeant Ross Hunt was killed in 1983 in South Lanarkshire as he investigated a knife attack.

The officers are among 24 members of the emergency services and the public to receive Brave@Heart Awards this year.

The awards recognise acts of bravery and heroism across Scotland, with nominations made by the emergency services, and winners selected by an independent validation panel. Four of this year’s winners also received the St Andrew’s Award for acts of exceptional bravery.

Brave@Heart award winners include two supermarket workers who tackled a knife-wielding attacker, two schoolboys whose quick thinking saved the day when members of their families suffered medical emergencies, and an off-duty firefighter who entered a burning block of flats and led residents to safety.

First Minister Humza Yousaf, who presented the awards at a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle, said: “The courage and heroism shown by the award-winners is truly humbling. In every case, they didn’t hesitate to act when it came to helping others.

“I was particularly honoured to present posthumous Brave@Heart Awards to the families of Constable Taylor and Detective Sergeant Hunt.

“These officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect other people and, tragically, they paid with their lives.

“They are true heroes whose bravery and sacrifice has been overlooked for far too long. I also commend the courage and determination of the families and colleagues who have campaigned over the years for the officers’ heroism to be properly recognised.”

Brave@Heart Validation Panel Chair David Garbutt said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to chair the panel considering the nominations for these awards, recognising the fantastic achievements of people throughout Scotland who have shown courage and selflessness in helping others and keeping our communities safe.”

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Acts of heroism recognised by First Minister at Brave Heart awards

Fourteen emergency response workers and two members of the public have been presented with a Brave@Heart Award by the First Minister last night.

The award recognises acts of bravery and heroism across Scotland with nominations made by the emergency services and winners selected by an independent validation panel.

This year winners include staff from HM Coast Guard, Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland for acts as wide ranging as dealing with violent attackers, life-saving actions in challenging search and rescue conditions and assisting during an explosion and building collapse.

Two members of the public have also been recognised for their quick thinking including six-year-old Benji who phoned an ambulance for his mum during an emergency and Scott MacQuarrie who helped get members of the public to safety after driving their car onto tram tracks before making contact with an oncoming tram driver to prevent a collision and avoid a more serious incident.

 PC Josh McCorry was also presented with two St Andrew’s Awards for exceptional acts of bravery on behalf of himself and his colleague PC Glenn Coletta – both men were left severely injured after being attacked by a man with a meat cleaver but managed to prevent him from injuring anyone else.

Speaking after the award ceremony at Bute House, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Presenting these awards is an honour for me and I’m extremely happy to able to recognise those who put their lives at risk to save others in person once again.

“Each and every one of the recipients here tonight went above and beyond the call of duty, showing astounding courage and quick thinking to prevent incidents in extraordinary circumstances. They are inspiring and an example to the whole of Scotland.”

Phil Jones, Chair of the Brave@Heart 2022 validation panel, said: “The Brave@Heart award winners represent the very best of Scotland. Their heroic acts have protected others who have often been in desperate and perilous situations.  

“These winners also remind us that thousands of people in Scotland are working to protect others every day. It’s so important that their contributions are celebrated because they set an example to us all.”