Fast pondering teenager shortlisted for ‘hero’ award

A fast-thinking teenager has been shortlisted for a prestigious ‘Young Hero Award’ for helping an aged man who he discovered collapsed in his house.

Callum Clydesdale, who attends Upper Braes Parish Church in Brightons close to Polmont together with his household, was doing his paper spherical when he seen that Bob Stewart had not collected his newspaper from the day earlier than.

Concerned for his wellbeing, Callum seemed by way of the entrance window however the lounge was empty so he went around the again of the home, peered by way of a facet window and noticed the 97-year-old mendacity on the kitchen ground by the again door.

Callum, who was 13 on the time, banged on the window and shouted to try to get his consideration however the one signal of life was a shifting hand.

He referred to as 999 and the emergency providers rapidly arrived on the property in Brightons and took Mr Stewart to Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert for remedy.

He lived for one more six days which gave his household time to be at his bedside and say their goodbyes.

In recognition of his fast pondering and compassion in September 2024, Callum, a S4 pupil at Braes High School, has been shortlisted for a Young Hero Award at BBC Radio Scotland’s Make a Difference Awards 2025.

Now 14 and a member of 1st Polmont Boys’ Brigade, Callum’s actions epitomise the Christian worth, “love your neighbour as yourself” and his dad and mom Stuart and Lesleyann say they’re very pleased with him.

Love thy neighbour

Mrs Clydesdale stated: “What he did was amazing and we couldn’t believe that he was just so on the ball.

“His fast pondering meant Bob acquired to hospital in good time and his household have been in a position to get to his bedside and spend time with him earlier than he died.”

Recalling the situation, Mrs Clydesdale said: “Callum was doing the papers each morning at that time and he had delivered to Bob the day earlier than

“I was at work and he phoned me and said ‘Bob has not lifted his paper from yesterday’ and I said, ‘have a look around and make sure everything’s ok.

“Bob lived over the again from us in Brightons and we all the time saved a watch on him.

“Callum looked in the front window and couldn’t see him in his sitting room so he went round the back and looked in a side window and saw him lying on the kitchen floor at the back door.

“He banged on the window to try to get his consideration and stated all that moved was his hand so he knew he was alive.

“By this time Bob’s next door neighbour had come out and Callum phoned 999.”

Positive affect

The neighbour had a phone quantity for Mr Stewart’s daughter Morag, who lives in London, and contacted her to inform her what occurred.

“Bob was a legend of a man, fiercely independent and was driving into his early 90s,” stated Mrs Clydesdale.

“He played golf and was a great neighbour and often gave us rhubarb he grew in his garden.”

The Young Hero Award is awarded to somebody below 16 who has made a constructive affect of their neighborhood or achieved one thing distinctive.

Led by ‘Mornings’ presenter Kaye Adams and ‘Afternoons’ presenter Michelle McManus, the station has narrowed its listeners’ entries to 29 and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal to 4 inspiring neighborhood heroes.

The winners might be introduced on the BBC Make a Difference Awards in Scotland ceremony in Glasgow on 28 September, with outcomes introduced the next day on ‘Mornings’ with Kaye Adams.

Mr Stewart’s daughter has met Callum to thank him personally for what he did for her father.

“Morag said that regardless if Callum wins or not, she says he will always be her hero,” stated Mrs Clydesdale, who revealed that her greatest buddy Vikki Craig secretly nominated him for the award.

Asked what sort of affect the entire state of affairs has had on her son, she stated: “He appears very calm and does not seem to be phased by it, but quietly he is proud of himself.

“It has given him extra of an consciousness of his neighborhood and the form of issues that he ought to simply regulate, the individuals round him.”

Caring community

Rev Scott Burton, minister of Upper Braes Parish Church, said: “I’m conscious that a number of the church household have heard of Callum’s actions and are so pleased with him, me included.

“Callum has shown the ability to think of others, to notice, and to take the initiative.

“These are all essential life expertise, however they’re so sadly missing in our day.

“Our young people are helping us show the way forward to a more caring community and society, and Callum is playing his part in that.

“He is placing his religion into apply to like your neighbour and never deal with others as merely clients or some unknown particular person to miss.

“I’m delighted he has been nominated and hope he wins.”