Three of the 39 finalists in this year’s annual Young Scot awards are from Argyll and Bute.

Young Scot, the national youth information agency for Scotland, set up the awards to celebrate unsung heroes aged between 11 and 22 who have made a positive impact on their local or wider communities, and have been an inspiration to Scotland and its people.

Kirsty Cairns from Campbeltown, Lochgilphead Climate Change Group and Louise MacDonald from Oban have all made it through thousands of nominations to feature on the shortlist. 

Kirsty, who is 19, is shortlisted in the Volunteering category. She is a champion helper who has done more than 400 hours of volunteering. When a local pub and home were affected by a serious fire, she was the first to offer her services, washing down walls and painting. 

Carla Jackson, Heather Unkles, Georgia Hepburn, Madeline Ward, Sarah Nicolson and Rebecca Jamieson – all part of the Lochgilphead Climate Change Group - are shortlisted in the Environment category.  The six girls took part in a Scottish Government consultation on Low Carbon Scotland: Public Engagement Strategy and the implications for individuals, communities and businesses. As part of this, they made a short film which they then shared with their peers.

In the Readers’ Award, 13-year-old Louise MacDonald from Oban has been shortlisted.  Louise has a condition called neurofibromatosis, which causes tumours to grow all over her body.  She has been in and out of Yorkhill hospital all her life but is always busy fundraising for other sick kids.  Last Easter she bought 60 eggs, dressed up as the Easter Bunny and handed them out to children in the hospitals Schiehallion Unit.

On Thursday April 26 2012, over 500 guests will attend the glittering Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards ceremony where the winners will be announced.

For more information about the awards please go to www.youngscotawards.co.uk