One of the contenders in The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2014 has received a moving nomination from former prime minister Gordon Brown.
Gordon Aikman, who has been shortlisted for the Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year award, was diagnosed earlier this year with Motor Neurone Disease.
Despite the shattering news - and deteriorating health - Mr Aikman, 29, has raised nearly £100,000 for research into the disease, which attacks the brain and spinal chord.
He has also campaigned for improved care and raised awareness about MND by organising a Yes versus No penalty shoot out during the referendum campaign.
He was responsible for one of the most memorable moments of the independence battle when he persuaded Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling to take a soaking in the ice bucket challenge.
Mr Aikman, research director for the pro-UK Better Together campaign, has won friends and supporters from across the political divide. In a letter to The Herald commending his efforts, Mr Brown wrote: "I would like to nominate Gordon Aikman for Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year at this year's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards for his inspirational demonstration of courage and leadership through his "Gordon's Fightback" campaign.
"'I'm dying. And fast' - those four short words from Gordon Aikman's campaign website bring home the shocking reality he faces each day.
"Amidst such adversity Gordon has chosen to fightback and continues to inspire thousands to donate money and take political action for the benefit of all who share his diagnosis.
"He says it's too late for him, but in the little time he has left he continues to make a significant contribution to increasing awareness of MND, is one of the top fundraisers in MND Scotland's history and is uniting politicians from all parties behind his cause.
"For anyone to do this in the course of their career is impressive; to do it in the space of just eighteen weeks is nothing short of incredible."
Three other campaigners have been shortlisted for the award, the only category based on nominations from the public.
They are: Barnardo's Scotland and Aberlour Childcare Trust, whose efforts have transformed the support available for young people leaving care; Matthew McVarish, whose Road to Change campaign raises awareness about child sex abuse; and Women for Independence, who brought a new style of campaigning to the referendum battle.
In the running for the main award are Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson, Greens leader Patrick Harvie and new First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The awards, now in their 16th year, will be presented at a glittering ceremony at Edinburgh's Prestonfield House Hotel on Thursday night.
Patrick McGuire a partner with Thompsons Solicitors, who sponsor the Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year Award, said: "The Herald's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards are one of the most anticipated nights of the year.
"This year the country has been involved in political debate as never before so I'm sure the 2014 awards will be the most keenly observed and successful yet."
A spokesman for ScottishPower Renewables, another sponsor, said: "As the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards approaches ScottishPower Renewables looks forward to supporting one of the highlights in the political calendar.
"We wish all of the nominees every success on the night."
The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year 2014 shortlist
Best Scot at Westminster, supported by Virgin Trains:
Anne Begg
Gordon Brown
Alistair Darling
Donald Dewar Debater of the Year, supported by NVT Group:
Ruth Davidson
Patrick Harvie
Alex Salmond
Committee MSP of the Year, supported by Scottish Power Renewables:
Murdo Fraser
Christine Grahame
Hugh Henry
Community MSP of the Year:
Patricia Ferguson
John Finnie
Duncan McNeil
Politics in Business Award, supported by RBS:
Gavin Brown
Fergus Ewing
Murdo Fraser
E-politician of the Year:
Murdo Fraser
Nicola Sturgeon
Humza Yousaf
Public Campaign or Campaigner of the Year, supported by Thompsons Solicitors:
Barnardo's Scotland and Aberlour Childcare Trust Gordon Aikman Matthew McVarish Women for Independence
Scottish Local Politician of the Year, supported by IS:
Ken Guild (leader, Dundee City Council)
Gordon Matheson (leader, Glasgow City Council) Leaders of the City Deal authorities - East Dunbartsonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartsonshire
The Herald Scottish Politician of the Year:
Ruth Davidson
Patrick Harvie
Nicola Sturgeon
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