Amyleigh Cavanagh nominated at Scottish Influencer Awards

Amyleigh Cavanagh admitted she was a bit wary of what to expect when she found out she'd been shortlisted in the 'family' category at the awards.

And while she missed out on the top prize at the glamorous awards ceremony on Sunday, March 3, Amy says she took a lot from the experience.

She said: “I was a wee bit wary at first, because I don’t class myself as an influencer in the slightest – that isn’t what I am or what I identify as.

“At first I didn’t really know what it was, but when I Googled it, I thought it seemed like a really prestigious event.

“It was a great event. I was expecting it to be the way that Americans depict influencers, with everyone wearing sunglasses and flicking their hair, but it wasn’t.

“There were so many amazing people there. I had imposter syndrome, I thought ‘why am I here?’

“I’ve only got 22,500 followers on TikTok, I think out of everybody that was there I had the least amount of followers.

“I know it doesn’t come down to that, but I thought it was mental to even be asked to be a part of this.”

Amyleigh created her account on the social media platform to share cherished family memories, but within a few months realised it could have another purpose altogether.

She shared a video telling the story of her partner Ian and his diagnosis of a brain tumour - and the overwhelming response resulted in a number of people seeking help, having experienced similar issues.

Ian was a fit, amateur MMA fighter, who trained up to four times a week and fought almost every other month. But he ignored constant headaches which almost cost him his life.

After a trip to Specsavers he was taken for an MRI scan that detected a large tumour on his brain.

READ MORE: ‘My partner overcoming stubbornness saved his life - can it save yours?'

Amyleigh explained: “The amount of messages and comments I got from that video made me realise I had a good thing.

“From that TikTok alone, two people contacted me to say they are now being treated – one for a cancerous tumour and one for a benign tumour.

“It all came from watching that TikTok because they had similar symptoms to the one Ian had. That's potentially saved two people's lives.

“So many people have also said they have now gone to get checked and it gave them the motivation to actually make an appointment. That in itself is amazing.”

@girl_mum_ Absolutely breaking my heart re making this brings up some terrifying emotions but reminds me how far we have come and how thankful and lucky we truley are 🫶🏽❤️ DO NOT IGNORE YOUR BODY! And please dont think warning sighns that linger will pass! Life is too precious 🫶🏽 #braintumor #braintumorawarness #braintumorsurvivor #braintumorwarrior #scotland #scottishtiktok #scottish #warriors #survivor #stubborn #stubbornboy #blessed #family #brain #fyp #foryou #fypシ゚viral #awareness #raisingawareness #wegotthis #we #daddy #dadsoftiktok #bestfriend #dadofgirls #dad @Specsavers ♬ original sound - ari

Since then Amyleigh has used her platform to share Ian's journey through treatment, as well as describing how she and the couple's children are handling the process.

“I think people are just looking for people that are more everyday, like you and I, that are dealing with these issues," she said.

“When I went on to find out about radiotherapy I couldn’t find any informative videos.

“Obviously you get your list from the doctor of what you need, but that’s the physical side of it, it’s like ‘what do we need mentally?’.

“I try to do a wee bit about that as well.”

She has also shared a number of positive stories to show how many good things can arise from bad situations.

That's included stories such as her daughter Aria, an eight-year-old world champion dancer, bouncing back after having five surgeries and nearly losing her finger to still performing at an elite level.

@girl_mum_ It seems to never be ending at the moment 😔 wee Aria backnin hosptial to figh an infection in her wee finger another operation and another in a few days again please keep hernin your prayers 🙏🤞🏽❤️‍🩹 #scotland #mybaby #hospital #hospitallife #family #mumsontiktok #mumlife #mumtok #mumofgirls #girlmum #infection #opperation #childrenshospital #scottish #scottishtiktok #glasgow #bravegirl #foryou #fypシ #fyp #mumtokuk #superhero #pray #wegotthis #queenelizabethhospital ♬ Gratidão - AltairMakin

She also created videos showing support messages created by pupils from the dance school she attends, as well as by kids from the Whitlees Centre in Ardrossan, which were handed out to patients awaiting radiotherapy, just like Ian.

Amyleigh said: “When Ian started his radiotherapy, I was lucky enough I got to go with him but when I was there so many people were sitting by themselves.

“The dancing kids, and kids from the Whitlees Centre, started making cards and notes, and I took them up to the hospital with me.

“I didn’t want to film it as I feel that it’s a bit impersonal, but I wish people could have actually seen the reaction.

“So many elderly people were in tears. I saw one guy the other week, and his daughter told us the card is on his fridge.”

It's reactions like those that Amyleigh hopes to see more of on social media, and hopefully overcome some of the negative connotations attached to the word "influencer".

She said: “If there is anything that I want to take from it it’s that you can use a platform for good.

“I’m not an expert by any means, but I know first hand what it’s like to experience it, live it and have to go through it, and watch my kids see their dad really sick, and how to deal with that as a mum.

“Just because you are at something called the Influencer Awards, it doesn’t mean you’re an influencer. But you can actually use a platform for good information."