Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2025: VOTE NOW for your brave child of the year!
VOTE for your brave child of the year by midnight on Monday, March 24!
READ the shortlist in full.
Bobby-Jo Killoh
YOUNGSTER Bobby-Jo Killoh had his life turned upside down at just four years old when he was diagnosed with acute liver failure.
After months of tests and being in the high dependency unit in Aberdeen, Bobby-Jo was then treated at King’s College Hospital, London where he received a liver transplant.
The operation was a success but in 2023 during routine blood checks in Aberdeen it was discovered he had developed a rare blood disorder, aplastic anaemia.
Bobby-Jo underwent aggressive chemotherapy and also received a bone marrow transplant in Glasgow.
He is just one of a handful of children in the UK to have received both a liver transplant and a bone marrow transplant.
But despite the ordeal, the youngster, now 10, is back with his classmates at King Edward School, near Banff.
Proud dad Iain said: “He deserves some luck! He’s back at school now and he’s doing really well. He never complained about being in hospital. None of this ever phased him, he took it all in his stride.”
Carly-Rae Gilbert
SIX-year-old Carly-Rae Gilbert, from Elgin, has gone through more in her young life than most adults would ever experience in their entire lives.
The primary 2 pupil, who attends Bishopmill Primary School, Elgin, had her life turned upside down just days before her sixth birthday when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
The youngster undergoes chemotherapy at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and also received dialysis in Glasgow when she suffered acute kidney failure.
A nomination praised Carly-Rae’s amazing bravery: “She is missing out on so much, especially school. Carly-Rae has taken everything all in her stride, from being to theatre multiple times, bloods taken, injections and receiving treatment. Carly-Rae’s goal is to beat cancer and get back to her dancing, back to school and be a normal child again.”
Proud mum Sam is delighted Carly-Rae is shortlisted for a Heroes award: “It’s very emotional ‒ she asked why it was her, because other children in hospital are so brave. She’s excited and looking forward to getting a new dress and shoes!”
Amelia Topa
PRIMARY two pupil Amelia Topa has come a very long way in her young life!
The Turriff Primary School pupil is looking forward to celebrating her eighth birthday this year ‒ a milestone after she has been battling leukaemia since she was born.
Amelia was diagnosed with leukaemia just two weeks after she was born in 2017 and has bravely gone through multiple rounds of treatments.
A nomination said: “She had four rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, was in remission for six months, relapsed in 2018 and had three rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. She is in remission now and continues to overcome all the challenges she has to face and future challenges that are still to come.”
Mum Kerri said: “I’m shocked but I’m really proud and happy. She’s doing really well. She’s loving school and just thrives on it. Amelia had her last check-up in October and everything looked good.”
Sonny Stewart
BRAVE youngsters never fail to inspire or astound, but 13-year-old Sonny Stewart also continues to defy the odds, amazing his doctors and family!
The Elgin High School pupil was born Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (half a heart) with multiple complex defects which also cause a rare condition affecting his lungs (secondary pulmonary lymphangiectasia). It means Sonny is not a candidate for a third open heart surgery or heart transplant and there are no surgeries that can be offered that don’t carry huge risks.
He regularly travels to Birmingham for treatment and cardiac reviews, and professors from Philadelphia have also given their input.
While Sonny struggles daily with low oxygen levels, it has not stopped him! He continues at school attending four half days a week and loves his motocross bike.
A nomination said: “Sonny has continued to defy the odds. He continues to baffle the medical world at how well he is doing.”
Mum Natasha said: “He blows my mind. He doesn’t let anything get in his way. It’s nice for him to have a little bit of recognition of how amazing he is.”
The brave child of the year award is sponsored by Macduff Shipyards
Matthew Watt of Macduff Shipyards said: “Macduff Shipyards Limited are delighted to once again sponsor the brave child category and be a part of the 2025 Moray & Banffshire Heroes.
“With the company's historic base in Banffshire and its new developing base in Buckie, Moray, we feel that it is very important to support the communities and acknowledge the work of the inspirational youth in the area.
“We chose to support the brave child award as we felt it reflects the company's long tradition of hiring a large amount of apprentices each year. Training, educating and looking after our young employees has been an important aspect of the business and has helped our company to grow alongside their careers.
“We look forward to the awards ceremony and learning about all the candidates for the award.”
