Ruby McDonald BCyA from Glenrothes met the King and Queen on Saturday at the opening of Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh as our local Mid Scotland and Fife Local Hero representative.

Ruby, who's been living with foster care and mum Fiona since she was five, is a familiar inspirational face in Fife.

Despite having Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which gives her learning difficulties, she keeps a smile on at all times and tries her very best at everything she does. She is a great athlete and outstanding volunteer, who has won a lot of awards for her commitment and achievements in sport and volunteering. These include winning Sports Advocate of the Year back in April at the Inspirational Youth Awards and being a finalist for the Local hero Awards in Birmingham in October.

Ruby wants to become a Pupil Support Assistant when she leaves Fife College, where she hopes to help support young people reach their full potential.

Ruby comments on meeting the King and Queen: "It was a really good day. I was nervous to talk to the Queen but having my mum there helped me gain confidence. The ceremony was nice and it was great to be a part of it."

Foster carer and mum, Fiona McDonald, says: "Wow, what a lovely day. This is definitely one of those once in a lifetime moments and to share it with Ruby, who was there as a local hero, was lovely to see. Being able to see Ruby be an advocate for her peers at such an important event fills me with pride."

James Ross, Fife Council's Head of Children & Families & Justice, also says: "Ruby, you are an inspiration to us all and show that anyone can achieve their dreams if they just go for it. Speaking on behalf of Fife Council as the Corporate Parent, we're all incredibly proud of you.

"Her list of sporting and volunteering awards and achievements is impressive, well-deserved, and inspiring for any other young person with a disability or growing up in foster care to go for their dreams and believe in themselves.

"It's great to see the love, support and determination to see Ruby have so much fun doing things she loves by her foster mum, friends, community, employer, school, and Fife Council’s Family Based Care Team has resulted in an extraordinary young person representing Mid Scotland and Fife."

Among her many other awards won over the years, her British Citizen Youth Award, which gives her BCyA after her name, recognised her many achievements and contributions to her school and community. She was both the first prefect and pupil to achieve a Duke of Edinburgh award from the Department of Additional Support. She volunteers and coaches other children and young people with disabilities in several different sports and activities and volunteers with Glenrothes Strollers where she has been asked to be a player/coach.

Could you help inspire Fife's young people to reach their full potential as well? Our Fostering Team would love to hear from you or see you at one of their monthly webinars: Foster Fife