A SCHOOLGIRL who helped care home residents cope with lockdown during the pandemic was in “floods of happy tears” when she learned she had won a dream holiday.

Heather Bryson, a former Glasgow Times Community Champion, was “totally shocked” when Ant and Dec surprised her on their live ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway.

The presenters popped up on her TV screen with the announcement that she had a “place on the plane” in their annual holiday giveaway. Heather's mum, Deborah, put a message on social media saying: "It can't get any better than this, Heather's dreams coming true."

 

 

Dec said: "Hi Heather, we know that you’re constantly teaching fitness classes in care homes for the elderly and people with dementia. You’ve even led online workouts in over 160 care homes around the world including Australia and Canada.

"We think you’re amazing Heather, so you’re getting a place on the plane."

Now, the 10-year-old and mum Deborah and dad Gary, who live in Robroyston, will jet off to Orlando’s Universal Resort, Florida for an all-expenses-paid trip.

Glasgow Times: Heather with mum and dad Deborah and Gary at the Glasgow Times Community Champion AwardsHeather with mum and dad Deborah and Gary at the Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards

Deborah, who nominated her daughter for the treat, said: “Heather was totally shocked. She loves Ant and Dec, and this is a dream of hers – but she never in a million years expected it would be her.

“She ended up sobbing her heart out, we’ve never seen her like that. She works so hard. We still can’t believe we are going.”

Since winning a Glasgow Times Community Champion award in December 2021 for her exercise videos and recycled crafts supporting people with dementia, Heather has had an amazing 15 months.

She was named one of 10 community heroes by funeral directors Anderson Maguire in their annual awards, and ITV’s Good Morning Britain presented her with the One Million Minutes Young Champion category prize, announced live on the show by celebrity fitness coach Joe Wicks.

Heather was also presented with a Point of Light award by Number 10 Downing Street, an initiative which recognises outstanding individuals making a change in their community and her story was included in Humble Heroes, Tipping Point presenter Ben Shephard’s book about men, women and children making a difference in their communities.