The Hour

Despite not being able to swim and having a fear of water, Mary McEwan has saved no less than four people from drowning in the last three years.

The real-life heroine, who works as a toilet attendant in the Victoria Park, has bravely leapt into the pond in the park to save the strangers – despite putting her own safety at risk each time.

The scariest experience for her was when she had to save two-year-old toddler, Yosuf Yehiya, who had fallen into the pond - leaving the child's mother hysterical.

Speaking about that frightening day, Mary said: “I was out speaking to ladies in the burger van and I just heard a woman scream 'baby in the water’, and I turned round and there was this wee tot floating about in the water.”

She added: “All the dogs are always in and out the water so I think people thought it was just a dog in the water or a polly bag or something.”

Along with the two-year-old, Mary has also saved a six-year-old boy, a five-year old girl and a baby in a pram. Now Mary has been rewarded for her bravery at the Great Scot Awards, rubbing shoulders with stars including Ally McCoist and Colin and Justin.

But the down-to-earth hero is staying modest despite the recognition. She said: “It’s hard to take it in now but it was just sometime I did that day, I never thought that anything like this would ever happen from it.”