Tag: Eric Liddell 100

Eric Liddell’s legacy lives on

‘THE FLYING SCOTSMAN’S’ INSPIRING STORY IS CELEBRATED AT THE NATIONAL ERIC LIDDELL AWARDS

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, presented eight winners with the National Eric Liddell Award, with Eric Liddell’s daughter and Scottish Rugby Icon, Chris Paterson, in attendance.

On Friday, November 1, 2024, over 360 guests gathered at George Watson’s College for the National Eric Liddell Awards presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The awards celebrated some of the outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to Scotland’s athletics, sports and community work.  

The Eric Liddell 100, which is led by The Eric Liddell Community, partnered with four other organisations throughout 2024 – Scottish Athletics, Youthlink Scotland, Scottish Rugby, and Scottish Disability Sport to honour individuals who have demonstrated the charity’s core values of passion, compassion, and integrity. 

Throughout the year, 100 individuals have been recognised with ‘Eric Liddell Recognition Awards,’ receiving a unique pin badge and certificate. Each of the five organisations nominated one individual to attend the National Eric Liddell Awards with Jamie Murchie from Largs Academy nominated by Scottish Rugby, Luke Davidson of Inverness Harriers nominated by Scottish Athletics, Orlagh MacIver from the Black Isle nominated by Youthlink Scotland (above), Andy Biggar from Edinburgh nominated by The Eric Liddell Community, and Ron McArthur, from Forth Valley nominated by Scottish Disability Sport. 

Additional awards were also presented during the evening by the event’s Gold Sponsors Optos, with The Optos Science and Technology Award being awarded to The Data Education and Schools Project, run by The University of Edinburgh and received by Professor Judy Robertson and Jo Spiller.  

Scottish Olympians, Eilish McColgan and Stephen McGuire were also recognised with Eric Liddell Sporting Achievement Awards, recognising Eilish’s participation in four Olympics and Stephen’s Gold Medal success in the Paris Paralympics this summer.  

Launched by The Eric Liddell Community charity, The Eric Liddell 100 campaign honours the centenary of The Flying Scotsman’s famous Olympic Gold medal in Paris 1924, 100 years on, celebrating the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s iconic figures through a series of initiatives, events and activities, with the final event of 2024 being the National Eric Liddell 100 Awards. 

The awards were hosted by Sally Magnusson – respected broadcaster and author of ‘The Flying Scotsman: The Eric Liddell Story’ – and sports broadcaster David Tanner.

Throughout the evening, Sally Magnusson shared stories behind the creation of her brilliant book on Liddell, ‘The Flying Scotsman’, nodding to important people in attendance on the evening, including Patricia Liddell Russell, Eric’s Daughter, and Sue Liddell Caton, Eric’s Niece. 

John MacMillan, Chief Executive Officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “The National Eric Liddell Awards were an incredible finale to what has been an unforgettable year celebrating Eric Liddell’s legacy.

“We were absolutely delighted to honour the eight award winners at the National Eric Liddell Awards and thrilled to have such esteemed hosts, along with the presence of our Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to mark this special occasion. 

“This is the first year of these awards, and we hope to make this a bi-annual tradition, continuing to commemorate Eric Liddell’s legacy.”  

In her welcome message for the National Eric Liddell Awards Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, said: “As Patron of Eric Liddell 100 it has been a pleasure to recognise and celebrate the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s and the UK’s most remarkable individuals, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Eric Liddell.

“The 2024 Olympics took place in Paris, 100 years since his Gold medal success at the 1924 Games in the same city. This provides us with an opportunity to remember, and share, his remarkable story.

This celebration highlights not only his sporting achievements but also his life, beliefs, and the legacy he left behind, which continues to inspire people around the globe.” 

As the centenary year of Eric Liddell’s Gold medal win in the 1924 Paris Olympics comes to an end, the work accomplished in 2024 will ensure that Eric Liddell’s Legacy will live on for generations to come.

To find out more about Eric Liddell 100 please visit: 

https://ericliddell.org/the-eric-liddell-100/  

Eric Liddell 100 announces the 100 recipients of the Eric Liddell Recognition Awards

Five overall winners will attend the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’ in November, hosted by Scottish broadcasters Sally Magnusson and David Tanner, and presented by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.

The Eric Liddell 100 proudly announces the recipients of the prestigious ‘Eric Liddell Recognition Awards,’ honouring 100 outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to Scotland’s athletics, sports and community work.

The Eric Liddell 100 which is led by The Eric Liddell Community has partnered with four other organisations – Scottish Athletics, Youthlink Scotland, Scottish Rugby, and Scottish Disability Sport to honour individuals who have demonstrated the charity’s core values of passion, compassion, and integrity.

Throughout the year, 100 individuals have been recognised with ‘Eric Liddell Recognition Awards,’ receiving a unique pin badge and certificate. Each of the five organisations has also nominated one individual to attend the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’ with Jamie Murchie from Largs Academy nominated by Scottish Rugby, Luke Davidson of Inverness Harriers nominated by Scottish Athletics, Orlagh MacIver from the Black Isle nominated by Youthlink Scotland, Andy Biggar from Edinburgh nominated by The Eric Liddell Community, and Ron McArthur, from Forth Valley nominated by Scottish Disability Sport.

Launched by The Eric Liddell Community charity, The Eric Liddell 100 campaign honours the centenary of The Flying Scotsman’s famous Olympic gold medal in Paris 1924, 100 years on, celebrating the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s iconic figures through a series of initiatives, events and activities, with the final event of 2024 being the ‘National Eric Liddell 100 Awards’.

John MacMillan, Chief Executive Officer of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are absolutely delighted to celebrate these 100 outstanding individuals who embody the core values of Eric Liddell – passion, compassion, and integrity.

“Each of the recipients of the Eric Liddell Recognition award has made a significant contribution to athletics, sports and their community in Scotland, and we are proud to recognise their achievements.

“We look forward to honouring five of these exceptional individuals further at the National Eric Liddell Awards, and we are thrilled to have such esteemed hosts and the presence of our Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to mark this special occasion.

“This is the first year of these awards, and we hope to make this an annual tradition, continuing to commemorate Eric Liddell’s legacy.”

Luke Davidson, nominated by Scottish Athletics for the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’, demonstrated his exceptional athletic talent and dedication to his Christian faith when winning the Scottish Senior 800m title this year.

Luke Davidson said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be attending the National Eric Liddell Awards. Like Liddell, I dedicate my whole life to my faith. My commitment to integrity and passion towards my this reflects the values he championed. I strive to embody those principles throughout everything I do, whether that be training, competing or practising my faith.

“I train for athletics six days a week, but I don’t compete or train on Sundays; that’s why I switched into the 800m at the Scottish Seniors this year even though I am really a 1500m runner. The 1500m was scheduled for Sunday and I don’t run Sundays – so I felt very much like Eric Liddell at Grangemouth this year.”

Jamie Murchie, PE teacher at Largs Academy nominated by Scottish Rugby, said: “I am truly honoured to be one of the five individuals attending the National Eric Liddell Awards in November.

“The School of Rugby started around 9 years ago, it was an idea I had with the Rugby Development Officer at Ardrossan Accies, about bringing more rugby opportunities to the school. It’s just grown year on year from there and we currently have 175 students enrolled.

“Around 40% of players transition to supporting Ardrossan Accies Rugby Club and a further 10% to other local clubs. The pathway really helps with development of their rugby, but above all I just like getting kids out playing and enjoying the game.”

Hosted by Sally Magnusson – respected broadcaster and author of ‘The Flying Scotsman: The Eric Liddell Story’ – and sports broadcaster David Tanner, the awards will also feature elite sports people who have shown their dedication to Eric Liddell’s core values.

Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who serves as Patron of the Eric Liddell 100, will present each nominee with an award highlighting their achievements.

Full list of Award Winners:

Eric Liddell Recognition Award WinnersDownload

For more information on the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’ and how to get involved, please visit https://ericliddell.org/events/eric-liddell-awards-gala-dinner/