From a schoolboy’s lifesaving 999 call to a young girl’s fight for survival, these powerful stories show how compassion, bravery and selflessness define the true spirit of Scotland.
20:00, 03 Feb 2026
Brave Christopher Chopping(Image: Supplied)
Scotland is known for being a proud nation with a big heart – a place where compassion, courage and community spirit shine – even in the darkest moments.
From quiet acts of bravery carried out behind closed doors, to split-second decisions that change lives forever, Scots have repeatedly shown that heroism is often found in the most ordinary people.
Each week, we’ll be bringing you the stories of three incredible people who have achieved amazing things, even when all the odds appeared to be were stacked against them.
The schoolboy hero who saved his dad’s life
A young Scottish schoolboy proved that bravery knows no age when he calmly dialled 999 and helped save his father’s life.
Christopher Chopping, nine, was getting ready for school when his dad Lee, 53, suddenly collapsed at their home in Penicuik and became unresponsive in August last year.
The youngster quickly dialled 999 before running to get help from neighbours.
Christopher with dad Lee(Image: Supplied)
His fast actions saved his dad’s life, before he was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
In the aftermath, Christopher’s family spoke of their overwhelming pride and gratitude, hailing him as a true hero after he received a special award from the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS).
Christopher, 9, with dad Lee and wife Catriona and paramedics(Image: SAS)
Lee underwent an instant Cardioversion to restart his heart once he arrived at hospital.
He added: “Undoubtedly, Christopher saved my life that day.
“The paramedics said themselves if the phone call didn’t come through, I wouldn’t have survived.”
Wee Ava and a lifetime of strength
Ava Todd’s life as a 12-year-old has been shaped by battles most adults could barely imagine – yet she continues to face each day with a smile and remarkable resilience.
She was diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure at just three-years-old. At the time, the brave youngster, from Lochgelly in Fife, relied on blood and platelet transfusions to stay alive while waiting for a donor.
(Image: UGC)
After a global search for a match spearheaded by the Daily Record, Juleena Masters, who lives in Oklahoma, became Ava’s hero.
Our appeal prompted more than 83,000 people to join the stem cell register before Juleena, 47, went on to become Ava’s match.
Now, Ava is enjoying school and is able to live to the fullest and recently celebrated her ninth transplant anniversary.
Her mum Maria told The Record: “It’s good to be at the other end of it now, to celebrate this milestone and to see Ava enjoying life.”
Ava with her mum Marie and dad Sam(Image: Dave Johnston)
Ava’s story has touched hearts across Scotland and across the world – highlighting the importance of organ donation.
Tens of thousands of people signed up with bone marrow charities Anthony Nolan and DKMS after her story was shared.
Charities said the impact of the response would save lives for decades to come.
Mum who became a lifesaver after reading Ava’s story
Ava’s story of courage also sparked another extraordinary act of selflessness.
After reading about Wee Ava’s fight for life, Clare Montgomery from Bellshill made a decision that would go on to save a dad-of-three from Denmark’s life after she signed up to become a stem cell donor just as his hope was running out.
Clare was at work in 2017 when she received a phone call to tell her she was a match for Rune Dinsen, 57, a father who was battling a rare type of lymphatic cancer at the time.
Clare Montgomery with Rune Dinsen(Image: DKMS)
The transplant took place on Valentine’s Day the following year.
The pair met for the first time in Glasgow in July 2025 and enjoyed a day out together, seven years on Claire’s live-saving act.
Clare donating her stem cells in 2018(Image: DKMS)
Clare said: It was surreal to meet Rune. It felt really wonderful to see him happy and healthy, and most importantly being able to be there for his three kids.”
She added: “If you’re healthy enough to donate, please do it. It feels amazing to be able to help somebody this way and give them a second chance.”