AN AWARDS ceremony recognising the best of Scotland’s young people will take place online for the first time next week.

The Young Scot Awards shine a light on the extraordinary young people aged between 11 and 26 who improve the lives of their community.

East Lothian is represented in two categories, with 25-year-old Nicole Gray one of those named as a finalist in the Unsung Hero category, while Archie Strang’s collections at Christmas for East Lothian Foodbank have seen him named as a finalist in the Community section.

The awards had been due to take place in Edinburgh in September but have been brought forward to tomorrow (Thursday).

Nicole, who lives in the Stoneybank area of Musselburgh, set up ‘Send a Smile Care Packages’, preparing and sending packages of gifts, free of charge, to those in need. That came despite Nicole having brittle asthma, as well as multiple allergies and anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger such as an allergy.

Fibromyalgia causes her chronic widespread pain, while she has a functional neurological disorder which can result in non-epileptic seizures and functional urinary retention.

Nicole, who is studying for an Open University degree in health sciences, creates packages which are designed to relax, stimulate and put a smile on the face of the recipient.

Before sending the packages, Nicole, who pays for all the items herself, spends time getting to know the recipient so she can tailor the gift perfectly, which has inspired shop owners and companies to donate items.

After she found out she had been put forward for the award, she said: “I’m still in disbelief that I was not only nominated but have been selected as one of the 40 finalists for the awards ceremony.

“I dedicate this nomination to all the recipients who have received a care package, as well as the companies, people and small businesses that have kindly donated to the project and those who have helped out in any means, as without all of these fantastic people, there wouldn’t be a care package project.”

Meanwhile, each festive period for the last three years, Archie, who lives in Tranent, has visited neighbouring streets to gather items for the foodbank, which is based in the town.

During that time, Archie, 12, has collected more than a third of a tonne for the good cause.

His proud dad Raymond previously told the Courier: “From a personal point of view, I think he has done really well.

“He has got to consider it an achievement to be nominated for the award. It is based upon something that was his own initiative, his own idea, and he has taken the whole thing forward himself.

“He has had support from his friend Lucas Leishman the last two years and his brother, Finlay, and I imagine all three will still go ahead this Christmas with something similar.”