GAIL Porter has had her fair share of hard knocks.
Most of them have played out in public, which has done little to help her mental health struggles over the years.
But this isn’t just a case of someone’s dirty laundry being displayed in public.
Gail’s turbulent life story is one that involved a total disintegration of her mental health, so much that she was sectioned.
Her finances fell apart so utterly that she ended up bankrupt and homeless.
She’s been there, done it and came out of the other end of poverty.
So she is well qualified to tell her tale in the hope of inspiring others.
She is backing the Fair for You credit scheme, which offers loans to those who may otherwise find themselves blocked from credit.
Taking on more debt may not be the best idea for those staring into a sea of the stuff.
But for families who need to have the most basic elements of modern life – things like cookers, fridges and furniture – it is a way of keeping their families afloat with dignity.
Porter’s story has shocked so many of us.
It would be a hard heart that would fail to sympathise with her struggles.
But for the courageous way she has rebuilt her life and the dedicated work she has done for good causes, she deserves nothing but praise.
Life-saving legacy
Sir Chris Hoy’s wife is right to call the six-time Olympic cycling champion a “superhero” over his bravery in speaking out about the cancer which will end his life.
Scotland has always been proud of Hoy but never more so since witnessing the courage he has shown in facing this awful disease.
Many more men will now go to their GPs to get tested for prostate cancer because of him and that could be the difference between life or death.
Sir Chris’s proud wife Sarra has said hearing that the numbers seeking advice about prostate cancer has increased seven-fold since he spoke so openly about his diagnosis took her breath away.
And Professor Alan McNeill, who founded Prostate Scotland 18 years ago, also praised the cycling great for raising awareness of the scourge of prostate cancer.
Sir Chris’s sporting legacy was always guaranteed but he will also leave a different legacy through the many lives saved thanks to his courage.
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