East Lothian Courier Community Champion Awards: Mum's nomination shock

The East Lothian Courier Community Champion Awards were launched last month in a bid to reward and celebrate the people who contribute most to their communities.

Kayleigh Jamieson-Tait and 13-year-old son Jack have both been nominated for the awards, which will be announced and presented at a special ceremony at Haddington Corn Exchange in May.

The Macmerry mum was “shocked” when the Courier broke the news that both she and Jack were up for awards.

Kayleigh is being considered for Charity Champion of the Year due to her fundraising efforts for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, while Jack could be crowned Youth Community Champion.

East Coast Buses, Sustainable Facilities Management and SSE Renewables Berwick Bank Wind Farm are all sponsoring awards

She said she was “shocked but a happy shocked”, adding: “It is a nice surprise.

“I think it is something I have kind of needed this week – and it is only Monday!”

Jack was diagnosed with asthma when he was just three years old.

Since then, he has been a regular patient at hospitals in the Capital.

The charity has been there every step of the way in supporting the family when they arrive at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

Kayleigh, who also has a daughter, Kayla, said: “They have been one of the key features in our life.

“I don’t know how we would cope some days without them, including the nurses at the hospital.”

READ MORE: Nominate your East Lothian Courier Community Champions now!

In thanks for their support, Kayleigh has taken on a number of gruelling running challenges to raise money for the charity.

Next month, she will take to the streets of London for the Capital’s iconic marathon for the first time.

Kayleigh spoke about how her son always put “everybody else before himself”.

She added: “Jack would be delighted to win. He would be over the moon and I would just be proud as usual.

“Regardless if he wins or not, for somebody to recognise the things he does is enough.

“It is difficult to talk about myself, it is weird, but it would be lovely, of course, to win.

“I love doing the work for the charity. I do not do it for myself.”

Meanwhile, Dirleton Primary School teacher Emma Shepherd (pictured below) said it was a “lovely surprise” to hear the news that she had been nominated for the Champion Teacher of the Year award.

Mrs Shepherd, from Gullane, has been teaching for 30 years and currently teaches Primary 4/5 at the school.

She said: “It was a lovely surprise to hear I had been nominated. I could not believe it.

“It is not very often you get feedback as a teacher so to hear that someone has valued what I do is brilliant.

“I love to teach, it is my passion, and is why I have done it for 30 years.

“It brings me so much joy to work with the children and help support them.

“I have been quite fortunate this year in that I have a small class, which means I can get to know them a little better and work with them individually.”

The 52-year-old has worked in the county for much of her teaching career, working as a supply teacher at schools across East Lothian before taking up her current post at Dirleton Primary School during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said: “It has been a challenge. When I first started it was all online so that brought its own challenges.

“It is good things are back to normal now.”

Mrs Shepherd was nominated for going “above and beyond in her teaching” and was described as “the most empathetic and understanding teacher I have met” by the individual who nominated her.

She said: “I am delighted with this recognition and I’d like to thank whoever nominated me!”

The Courier will be celebrating unsung heroes at the inaugural Community Champion Awards night at the Corn Exchange on Thursday, May 30 – and we need you to tell us who deserves to be picking up the awards on the night, which will be decided by a judging panel.

We have 11 different categories for which you can make nominations.

Go to our website newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/eastlothiancommchamp to nominate your community champions or give Alana Massie, events manager, a call for more information on 07702 807008 or email alana.massie@newsquest.co.uk

The closing date for nominations is Thursday, March 28.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

All the award categories

ENTREPRENEURIAL AWARD
This category celebrates a person or a business who has demonstrated a special entrepreneurial flair and has turned this passion to help grow their local community.

SPORTING CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
For a local club/individual who is making an impact in local sport, either on the pitch or off it. Who is the beating heart of local sport?

CHAMPION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. This award recognises teachers who are bringing learning to life by engaging and inspiring all children and young people to fulfil their potential.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR – sponsored by East Coast Buses
Rewarding a local individual, 18 years and upwards, who goes out of their way to help those around them – someone whose actions are a force for good in the community who we all benefit from making our community a better place.

YOUTH COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD – sponsored by SSE Renewables Berwick Bank Wind Farm
We are looking for a young person between the ages of 13 and 18 who volunteers and makes a significant contribution to their local community. We know youngsters sometimes get a bad reputation. Tell us now about the young people whose hearts are in the right place.

HEART OF GOLD
This award goes to someone who has made a contribution of outstanding significance to East Lothian. We will be recognising an adult whose actions, achievements, courage or bravery have touched the lives of others and made a difference – someone special who truly has a heart of gold.

HEALTH & CARE AWARD
The Health & Care Award will recognise the incredible health and care workers, both at individual and team level, who are at the heart of our local community.

LITTLE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
To recognise an outstanding child up to and including the age of 12 whose achievements, courage or bravery make your heart burst with pride.

CHARITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
When it comes to charity, East Lothian is as big-hearted as you can get. This award is for an individual or group who has dedicated their lives to supporting an amazing cause – a chance to recognise the incredible work they undertake tirelessly.

GREEN CHAMPION AWARD – sponsored by Sustainable Facilities Management
This award aims to recognise an individual who strives to improve their local areas for the benefit of everyone who lives and works there. They will demonstrate the contribution they have made to their local community whilst championing sustainability. It could be through regular clean-ups, eco-friendly initiatives or gardening – the sky is the limit!

LIVE MUSIC AWARD
This award will go to a local singer, band or group who puts their heart and soul into every performance, whose talent makes us all extremely proud. Our finalists will have the opportunity to perform live at the awards gala.