A young carer from Tranent has been recognised for his voluntary work by the Scottish Canoeing Association, who presented him with the Young Volunteer of the Year Award.
Quinn Porter, 17, lives with his parents and four brothers, and helps care for his younger brother Ollie, who has a brain condition.
Ollie, 13, was born very unwell and was diagnosed with a condition called hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of fluid in the brain which can cause brain damage.
Born a twin, Ollie had to go for his first brain scan at two weeks old, where he was diagnosed with the condition.
As a result, Ollie is unable to walk or talk and has to use a wheelchair. He is also registered as blind and has epilepsy.
Quinn’s mum Kirsty said: “Quinn is incredible, he is just so hard-working and is a great young man. I am so proud of him.
“As well as being a young carer, Quinn has been busy at school studying for his Higher exams and during lockdown he had to step in and help look after Ollie.
“He helped bath him and do physio because a lot of that support stopped during lockdown.”
Quinn said that he loved the time he had been able to spend with his brother
He said: “We have a great relationship. We quite often just sit and watch TV together, which we both really enjoy.
“As a family, we always try to include Ollie in as many activities as possible because we don’t see any reason not to. He’s very capable of doing a lot of things that we do as a family, he just needs some encouragement.”
Quinn, a pupil at Ross High School, was nominated for the award by Claire Mackenzie from Venturing Out for his voluntary work with the group.
Venturing Out is a social enterprise based in Tranent which offers a wide range of outdoor activities.
One of its main projects is for East Lothian-based children with additional support needs and their families. This year-round provision is part-funded by East Lothian Council and is run in partnership with East Lothian Council’s outdoor learning service.
Quinn began volunteering with this programme after Ollie attended some activities at Venturing Out and has put more than 200 hours of work into volunteering to help youngsters with additional needs take part in outdoor activities such as canoeing and rock climbing.
One youngster Quinn has helped is 15-year-old Sam Rodger, who has septo-optic dysplasia, a rare brain condition that has left him visually impaired and with cerebral palsy and some learning difficulties.
Sam’s mum Corrine praised the work Quinn and the Venturing Out staff had put into helping Sam.
She said: “Sam absolutely loves spending time with Quinn. They go out paddleboarding and, because of Quinn’s experience with his younger brother, it means he can be left to work with Sam and I can have a chat with some of the other mums.
“He was hesitant at first but when he sees Quinn he wants to do everything Quinn can do. And just recently he has gone from just observing to now standing up on the board and really getting involved.
“That is down to Sam’s determination and to Quinn and the team at Venturing Out. Quinn deserves to be recognised for his work.”
Reflecting on the work he does at Venturing Out, Quinn said: “It is really enjoyable because it’s all stuff I enjoy doing anyway as a hobby.
“It felt great to be given the award and to be recognised for my volunteer work.
“It came as a complete shock to me because I had no idea I had been nominated.”
Quinn was presented with the award by Provost John McMillan and Olympic silver medallist Jon Schofield, who is the head of performance and pathways at Scottish Canoeing Association.
Quinn said meeting the Olympian was a great honour, adding: “I had no idea it was going to be him who presented me with the award but to meet him was amazing.”
Mr Schofield said: “Quinn is a deserving winner of this award as he encapsulates everything that a young volunteer can bring to their activity group.
“Seeing him interact with the young people he is coaching confirms his amenable nature and skill, which is infectious to others around him.”
Mr McMillan added: “I was delighted to meet with Quinn and learn about the difference volunteering has made, both to himself and others as a result of his efforts.”
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