A special event that saw a panel of amazing people share their stories has been hailed a success - inspiring others to follow their passions.
The ‘Why Not Me’ seminar, organised by West Lothian charity SPARK, aimed to show we can all achieve our dream career if we work hard enough.
On the panel was presenter Gail Porter, World-Record breaking cyclist Josh Quigley, author Scott Fleming, social media expert Sophie Robertson and Tony McCaffery, founder of Diversity Scotland.
The event was the “culmination of Spark’s enthusiasm for stories and its drive to inspire you (and not so young) people to identify the possibilities for their future.”
And it aimed to introduce the motivational panel of inspiring adults who had each developed a career after following their passions.
Speaking at the event, Josh Quigley shared how he recovered mental illness and a horror car crash in America to break the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance cycled in one week.
And author Scott Fleming has become a celebrated writer after surviving a brush with death after his heart stopped while playing football.
Jane Deary, CEO of Spark said: “The event was a great success. The panel were truly inspirational. Each shared their own story leading to them enjoying a career that was linked to their passions and brought them great joy.
“Every member shared their own personal journey all of which were very emotional in terms of the challenges they faced and overcame.”
MP for Livingston, Hannah Bardell, who herself grew up in Craigshill, provided closing remarks and shared her own inspiring story, speaking about her career at the BBC and her experiences as an MP.
She said it was “a truly brilliant morning at Spark in my hame toon Craigshill, with a panel of incredibly motivational speakers.
“Each of them shared such a personal – often traumatic and tragic -but ultimately inspirational stories. The main message ‘be who you want to be, you can achieve anything you put your mind to.”
Spark Chair, Frank Anderson added: “Inspirational talks and proof that with encouragement our children’s aspirations should not be dampened by where you come from.”
Co-founder of Youths Matter, Ann McCormack praised Spark for it work over the years in the community.
She said: “I came away totally buzzing, not only about the inspirational speakers but also the way Spark is leading the way in serving the Community. Congratulations to you all.”
Brenda Cumming of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, Larissa Russell of Career Ready and Arlene Nicol of West Lothian’s, Developing the Young Workforce, all thanked the panel for sharing their inspiring emotional stories at the event which was part of Craighill’s Storytelling Festival.
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