Ali Russell

Despite having been born with poor General Motor Skills and a lack of co-ordination, Ali started to play keyboard and achieved his teaching diploma at age 17. Whilst unable to play football very well, he wanted to be involved in the game and qualified as a SFA Referee also aged 17 and has risen steadily through the ranks. He also gained his Queen's Badge in the Boys' Brigade and Gold Duke of Edinburgh award through perseverance and determination; he volunteers as a BB Officer, sits on the committee and helps out with the younger people at the croquet club, is involved in the local Amateur Dramatic Society and their Pantomime and helps out with our local folk club. He is now setting up his own mobile caravan servicing business evenings and weekends whilst holding down a full-time job. He still has to work hard at overcoming his co-ordination problem and where most folk would be able to do something second or third go, Ali takes 6 or 7 attempts to get it right. I know he would be extremely proud to be part of the 2012 Olympics and I believe he would inspire others to persevere until they achieve whatever they want and be all they can be. Participation in this torch journey would also indicate that his hard work has been recognised and his own self esteem hightened thus providing impetus for him to carry on.