Green isles ambassadors triumph at Young Scot Awards

Six Shetland teenagers working as ambassadors to deliver a “youth legacy” from next summer’s Commonwealth Games did the islands proud at the Young Scot Awards on Friday night, winning the environment award.

The ambassadors are Kristoffer Thomason, Sam Maver, Lauren Odie, Luke Smith, Harry Thomson and Holly King, all aged 15-18.

STV weather presenter Sean Batty handed over the environment award at a ceremony held in Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium. Highlights will be screened on STV at 10pm on Sunday.

Celebrities including stars of Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor were present, but SIC youth development worker Martin Summers said the “real stars of the night” were the Young Scot award winners.

SIC convener Malcolm Bell congratulated the ambassadors on their victory, saying it was a “great achievement”.

Youth legacy ambassadors throughout Scotland are trying to “inspire and engage young people to enjoy the lasting benefits” of net year’s Glasgow games, Mr Summers said.

“They work hard to promote the games legacy themes, with a particular focus on helping their community become more environmentally responsible and live more sustainably,” he said.

“They’ve helped secure 420 trees which will be a new feature in their local community to help promote the sustainable legacy of Glasgow 2014.

“They have visited a number of renewable projects to learn about sustainable energy, which they have then shared with other young people via their Facebook page.

“Throughout 2012 [the ambassadors] created local ‘legacy pledges’ to gather Shetlanders’ views on how Glasgow 2014 can make the whole of Scotland a greener place to live.”