Huge congratulations to 10-year-old surfer Jade Edward, from Aberdeenshire, who has recently picked up a Child of Courage Award in the prestigious Pride of Scotland Awards
Jade was presented with her award at a glitzy ceremony recently at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms by two top disabled sportspeople – runner Richard Whitehead MBE and sprinter and cyclist Libby Clegg MBE.
The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, with TSB, honour the nation’s unsung heroes – ordinary people quietly living extraordinary lives and making a difference in their communities. Jade had to have her limbs removed aged just 2 after contracting meningococcal septicaemia.
Love of surfing
But that hasn’t held the youngster back and last year, having discovered a love of surfing, Jade took part in the World Para Surf Championships in California, where she reached the semi-finals of the worldwide competition.
She’s now set her sights on reaching the 2028 Paralympics, should the sport of surfing be included.
And, thanks to a recent award from our Rebuilding Futures Fund for an adaptive wetsuit, Jade’s certainly able to put the practise in now. Find out more about the Rebuilding Futures Fund and make an application. We are pleased to say that we have recently received a £5,000 donation
from the Scottish Children’s Lottery Trust to fund more RFF awards for children
and young people living in Scotland.
Jade was hospitalised for six months when she became ill but says, "I don’t remember being in hospital, but I’m now a quadruple amputee. I use a power chair to get to and from school and a skateboard when I’m out playing. At home I scoot around by shuffling on my bum.
“When I go surfing I feel so happy. I absolutely love it. My mum and dad say it’s my ‘Happy Place’.”
See more of Jade’s story and her award presentation
