Inverness college student is Volunteer of the Year at Highland Heroes Awards 2025
An Inverness teenager was named Volunteer of the year at Friday’s Highland Heroes Awards.
Inverness college student and sportsman Daniel Russell (18) was nominated for his selflessness and support to young people and his community.
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He mentored younger students at school, at martial arts, at football, and at Inverness Wildcats American football team and is a volunteer with the city’s Medical Emergency Response Team.
“It means a lot,” said Daniel after winning the award.
“Obviously, you don’t do it for the awards, but for the rewarding feeling you get after volunteering - whether it’s coaching a kid to do something and you see them doing it in front of you, or writing something, it just make sense.
He only 14 when he first started coaching Taekwondo as part of his black belt pathway black belt, coaching kids between four and 12 years old basic lessons of self defence, and then picking up American football with the Wildcats - where he is now one of the most senior players and has won a cap for Scotland.
He said: “Sports makes up so much of my life and I am just glad that I managed to stumble across it and take part in it.”
It was an emotional night for him after his grandfather - former Inverness Provost Bill Smith - passed away last week.
“He is with us - I have got his watch with me,” Daniel said.
“My papa was always a helpful man. It’s great to see all the positive messages and engagement from all the good things he has done.
”Obviously I just see him as my grandad as an idol and someone I look up to, but to see it coming form other people that I may not know it’s really great to see. It makes his legacy carry on, to see the effects he carries on.”
Daniel was nominated alongside Fraser Parr and Jane Humphreys.
