Steve Gotts - Our Caring Hero 2009
"Former welder Steve couldn't stand the sight of blood at school - but he's found a vocation working for the Red Cross. Steve, 48, from Elgin, Moray, is a services manager for the Red Cross and co-ordinates his volunteers. Despite suffering from arthritis, he spends his spare time volunteering for the charity as well.
He was nominated by 19-year-old Caitlind Walker, from New Elgin, who met him when she took a first aid course as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme back in 2007. Caitlind said: 'Steve doesn't do it for the glory, he does it because he cares enough to help and give people the chances they need and deserve.'
Steve said: 'My job is very rewarding. People trust the Red Cross emblem. It's an honour to work for them.'"
After travelling for almost 4 hours, grabbing a bite to eat at Ballinluig, spending half an hour in a traffic jam near Bankfoot, and on reaching our destination spending a further half hour in yet another traffic jam - and avoiding mad weegie drivers who display insulting gestures out of their windows as they overtake - we finally made it to Glasgow.
Glasgow. The most confusing set of junctions and road directions ever. I admit that I didn't make a very good sat-nav when trying to navigate through the maze of roads to the Hilton Hotel, but it really was confusing; you couldn't blame me!
But yes, the Hilton Hotel. Ooh la la, I hear you say! Well, it was rather posh - certainly on a par with MacDonald Hotel in Manchester. Although, the Hilton's lifts are way more fun, seeing as when you go up, you feel as though you're leaving your stomach on the ground floor behind you. This isn't too nice when you feel sick -trust me on that one.
Once we eventually found it, we checked in - marvelling at the fancy surroundings we found ourselves in - and made our way to our rooms on the eleventh floor.
The rooms were conjoined; that is they had a door connecting them so we could mosey in and out of each others rooms as we pleased... well, within reason. Although, Caitlind and me did wonder if it would block out Steve's snoring later on that night...
After a quick drink in the bar (back down stairs in those lifts, eugh...) it was time to get dressed up in our finest gear for the once in a lifetime award ceremony which we were about to be a part of. Amazingly, we managed to get ready in the space of an hour and 20 minutes, which for Steve is pretty damn good, teehee =P
We approached the hubbub in our finery, ready to mingle with the heroes and the stars alike. Equipped with a glass of champagne, we made our way into the main room for the evening - some sort of executive room which was gracefully decorated as the stage for the Daily Record Our Heroes 2009 Awards Ceremony.
Table number 26, shared along with one of the Emergency Services Hero nominees, who ironically was an ambulance technician. He took great delight in discussing with us the ins and outs of working with the SAS, and how their resus differed from our resus protocol. To be honest, the last thing I wanted to talk about that night was ambulance protocol, which is weird, coming from me. But he was a lovely gentleman, so we remained engrossed in the conversation anyway.
So the ceremony kicked off, hosted by the well known Jackie Bird and Tam Cowan.
Hero after hero was awarded their trophy of recognition, and as the evening went on, you became humbled by the fact that the company you shared was with some of the bravest, most generous and determined people you would ever wish to meet. Of course, every nominee was a hero in their own way; it was just a pity that only one person per category could receive an award as proof of this fact.
The night progressed, until at last, after a pretty impressive dinner and some autograph/photo scrounging with the stars (cast from Taggert, River City, some members of the Celtic and Rangers football team to name a few) the category which myself, Caitlind and Steve had been waiting for finally arrived. Third last, the Our Caring Hero category had some tough contenders, with a doctor who had dedicated his profession to assisting cancer victims and a nurse who flitted between ward work and caring for sick kids up for the award alongside our daddy.
Amy MacDonald (yay!) drunkenly took to the stage, and announced the winner.
By this point, I imagine our hearts were thundering like the clappers in our chests. I know mine was anyway.
"And the winner is... Steve Gotts!"
So Steve went into a stunned sort of look, whilst Caitlind and me screamed the place down and burst into tears, much to the amusement of the rest of our fellow guests at our table.
I don't even remember watching much of the video, and I doubt Caitlind and Steve saw much of it either, between the ecstatic sobs and hugs of joy.
How unexpected! Seriously, for a moment, in all honesty, we had perhaps felt some doubt woth our chances. But the people had decided that our service manager, our boss, our friend - our dad - had deserved the right to win the award.
A gracious speech from our Hero brought forth waterworks again (and a few 'awws' amongst the audience) before he went to pose for a photographer outside the room. Caitlind and me quickly joined him - our faces were red, but we didn't care! Steve had won!
Drinks all around, a dance or two, and finally it was bed time. We made our way back up the stairs, and for a while we marvelled at the success. Steve was adamant that it was a team success - he still is - and yes, in a way perhaps he is right.
But Caitlind and I; all we wanted was to let him know how much we appreciated him and the work that he does for everyone, despite himself. Our aim with the award was to let him know he is loved and cared for greatly, and that we acknowledge his inspirational attitude to his work and volunteering. Really, we just wanted to find a fantastic way to say thank you.
At the end of it all, Steve is a true caring hero in our eyes, with or without a glass award.
The next morning (it was groggy for me... *ahem*) we packed up our things and went on our way, stopping off in Buchanan Galleries for a spot of shopping before disappearing back up the road to home. We even found some time to donate a few quid to the Glasgow Red Cross fundraisers, and have a wee chat before saying goodbye to the rainy city. Even when in Glasgow, we can't escape the Red Cross clutches =P
And now here I sit, bleary eyed and wanting desperately to get some sleep (no wall or door could block Steve's snoring on Friday night, hence my sleep deprivation, again, haha! Ok, joking...)
But even now as I try to find some rest after this emotional rollercoaster ride of events, I know I wont get rid of the playback system I seem to have in my head right now; the thought of his winning announcement, the memory of the other heroes who we rubbed shoulders with, the image of Steve's dance-floor moves...oh dear... lol.
But no, seriously, I am so, so, so incredibly chuffed for him. All jokes aside, he definitely deserved the recognition he was given this past evening.
Our caring hero, as awarded by the Daily Record, is none other than our very own boss, friend and father figure, Steve. Way to go dad :)
