'Incredible' dancing wins Emily gong glory

Published on Saturday 5 December 2009 09:41

IT IS an award that any aspiring actor would be proud to win.

But for 18-year-old Emily Aikman, scooping a prestigious Variety Club gong is an extra special achievement.

Emily has Down's Syndrome and a heart defect called Fallot's Tetralogy, which is linked to the condition and causes tiredness, among other things.

But the teenager, who is a pupil at special needs school Pilrig Park, still managed to impress with her dance moves as part of the school's annual show at the Festival Theatre, and was presented with the John Harkis Special Achievement Award for her performance.

The sixth-year pupil received 1,000 at an awards ceremony at the Hilton in Glasgow on Saturday, part of which she plans to donate to the school.

Emily, who lives in Craigentinny, said: "It felt fantastic to win. I am going to spend the money on a laptop, and I want to give the school some money too."

Emily also plans to see a show in London with the leftover money.

This year's school show, titled Eco-logical, took place in June and had an environmental theme, with the pupils dancing to a range of music, including pop, Disney and Scottish songs.

As well as performing, the pupils – all of whom have some form of special needs – made their own costumes, the setting for the stage and the programmes.

Head teacher at the school, Ellen Muir, said: "There was somebody from the Variety Club in the audience at the show who watched Emily on stage and thought she had overcome quite a lot.

"The award is massive, it has nothing to do with having a disability, it is a special achievement award for somebody who has made a difference.

"That is what is incredible about it, it could have gone to someone with five As in their highers who is about to do medicine, but it went to a wee girl with severe learning difficulties.

"Her performance on stage is incredible."

She added: "Emily is an inspirational wee girl. She is an amazing child."

The John Harkis Award is presented by the Variety Club to just one youth – who has achieved something special – each year. The late John Harkis was a member and huge supporter of the charity.

Emily's mum Karen, 48, who found out that her daughter had won the award last month, said: "I couldn't believe it, it was just unbelievable. I can't tell you how proud I am. It is amazing.

"Emily loves dancing but it is amazing that she can dance in the show, because her heart defect makes her feel very tired."

The Craigentinny Primary School teacher added: "A lot of the credit has to go to the school. The theatre arts programme that the school runs has made Emily so confident."

Big names from the football world attended the ceremony at the weekend, including Rangers manager Walter Smith and SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.