Kind-hearted Bonhill singing duo Jack Mullen and Alfie King have been named Young Scots of the Year at a glittering virtual ceremony.
The talented teenagers had been nominated for Unsung Hero of the Year at the Sunday Mail Young Scot awards, after performing outside care homes and to neighbours who have been shielding over lockdown.
However at the virtual ceremony Jack and Alfie were named Young Scots of the Year as well as collecting the Unsung Hero award.
Vale of Leven Academy pupil Jack, 15, told the Lennox about the shock of collecting two awards.
He said: “I didn’t even think we’d get the unsung hero award, never mind the overall award.
“There were so many people other than us who had done such great things. It was mad when we won both of them let alone just one of them.
“It was massive for us.
“I was so confident that we wouldn’t win. I remember just looking at Alfie in shock when they announced that we had won the overall prize.
“I was so confused and speechless.”
For OLSP pupil Alfie, 13, meanwhile the surprise success almost saw him recorded eating his dinner live at the virtual ceremony.
He explained: “ It’s still kind of crazy that we won an award out of the 600 people or so who were in for it.
“I was sitting with a few slices of pizza because I didn’t think we had a chance.
“My mum wasn’t even in the room but Jack’s mum started screaming because we’d won it and my mum thought something bad had happened and ran in before she saw and started screaming as well!”
Throughout the first lockdown the pals sang outside local care homes to cheer up residents who were not able to see their families.
The dynamic duo sang a medley of classic songs including Hey Jude, Let It Be and Caledonia – melting the hearts of pensioners and staff at a time when spirits were at an all-time low.
The teenagers also created hampers full of goodies and delivered them to frontline workers at Dumbarton Police Station, the Vale of Leven Hospital and CHAS’ Robin House hospice in Balloch.
At Easter and Christmas the boys raised money by singing on social media and bought chocolate eggs and secret Santa gifts for sick and vulnerable children in the area, raising more than £5000 since lockdown measures were introduced last spring.
And Alfie’s mum Tracy admitted she was bursting with pride after the boys’ efforts were recognised.
She said: “It’s fantastic that they did win and that people took the time to nominate them.
“It means a lot that the judging panel saw how much they have done and what kind boys they are. Sitting watching it last week and seeing what all these young people throughout Scotland have done is amazing.
“Any one of the kids there would’ve been deserving winners.”
Whilst Jack’s mum Charlene added: “For two wee boys from the Vale to win something like this has left me absolutely speechless. I just don’t know how to feel because I can’t believe it. It’s totally surreal.”
TV presenter Jean Johansson, who hosted the awards, hailed the youngsters for their efforts.
She said: “Jack and Alfie blew me away. Their simple gestures of kindness had a massive impact and sums up the spirit and resilience of Scotland’s wonderful young people during lockdown. They are a symbol of all that is great about our nation’s youth.
“I was both humbled and honoured to be a part of such a special celebration and was glad to be wearing my waterproof mascara because so many of the stories moved me to tears.”
And despite the gong, the boys are both keen to get back out supporting the community as soon as they can.
Jack said: “It feels amazing to see all the people enjoying hearing us perform again. Last week when we played for John Mitchell’s 100th birthday and he was cheering the whole time - it was such a good feeling.”
Alfie added: “It’s great to see things getting back to some sort of normal with restrictions being eased.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped us. This award belongs to them as well. -It’s for all the people in the care homes and everyone who has supported us throughout lockdown.”
There was also an honour for Helensburgh-born drag queen Lawrence Chaney who picked up the entertainment award.
The 23-year-old spoke openly about struggles with bullying growing up in the town after winning Ru Paul’s Drag Race last month. Lawrence was handed the honour along with Ellie Diamond from Dundee who finished fourth on the show.
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