A YOUNG Greenock campaigner who helped transform the law to benefit children in care has been named a Young Scot of the Year.

But Ian Lamont, 22, could not pick up his award at a glitzy bash in Glasgow — because he is in Borneo doing charity work.

Ian, pictured, was recognised for his role in The Children and Young People Bill, a piece of legislation which has been described as a ‘seismic shift’ in care provision in Scotland.

When passed, it will mean that young people looked after by local authorities in Scotland can stay in care until they are 21, getting more support than ever before.

Duncan Dunlop, chief executive of charity Who Cares? Scotland, said: “The changes the young people have achieved on the Children and Young People Bill mark a seismic shift in how we care for young people.

“Every young person in Scotland will feel more in control of their care journey.

“We are so proud of those who stood up and told their story, they do it so that those in care now don’t feel alone.” Ian lobbied MSPs, social work professionals, teachers, councillors and visited conferences up and down the country to highlight issues facing kids in care.

He and his group won the community category before being announced as overall winners at the awards ceremony.

They championed the issue of how children in care approaching their 16th birthday needed help to face the daunting prospect of moving on and into their own flat.

Ian and his peers successfully argued for more ‘aftercare’ support, which should help make a huge difference to the young people affected.

Mr Dunlop added: “They and their carers will be able to commit to creating longer-term loving, stable, relationships — the vital ingredient in a happy childhood and which create the conditions for a sustainable and fulfilling adulthood.

“It’s all because of what they did.” Ian, of Belville Avenue, has been in Borneo since February with the Raleigh International charity. He is part of a group building a clean water system and a kindergarten.