Fundraiser Brynn nominated for Pride of Scotland prize

A TEENAGER from Yell who covered nearly 1,700 miles in his wheelchair for a charity fundraiser last year has been nominated for a Pride of Scotland award.

Brynn Hauxwell, who won a YoungScot award for the same gruelling feat this spring, raised more than £8,000 for Ability Shetland thanks to his extraordinary efforts.

Brynn, who is autistic and has ADHD, severe asthma and fixed ankle contractures meaning he relies on a wheelchair to get around, was provided with one of Ability Shetland’s all-terrain wheelchairs.

It was a life-changing development for Brynn and his whole family, allowing him to rediscover the great outdoors and his freedom. He used the special trike to complete a gruelling 20km challenge in October 2019, travelling around tough terrain including St Ninian’s Isle and Fethaland to raise funds to buy his own active wheelchair.

He then set himself the challenge of traversing 1,679 miles, the equivalent of Shetland’s entire coastline, to raise much-needed funds for the charity that had given him a new lease of life.

Brynn began the challenge whilst shielding at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, on a specialist treadmill, then took to the roads completing around ten miles a day – ending up with blisters on his hands and cramps and back pain form the relentless work.

Determined to carry on fundraising, last May Brynn took on a fresh challenge to cover the distance of 16 half-marathons, around 209 miles, to raise a further £1,200 for Ability Shetland, earning congratulations in the Scottish Parliament.

The Daily Record’s Pride of Scotland Awards, in partnership with TSB, is in its second year and will feature a red carpet ceremony on Wednesday (7 July), to be broadcast on STV on 27 July.

The ceremony will be hosted by Kirsty Gallacher and Nicky Campbell at Hopetoun House in South Queensferry.