THEY have beaten the odds - from fleeing civil war in Africa to being born with rare growth conditions - to flourish.

And now eight inspirational young people from Glasgow will find out tonight if their efforts are to be recognised.

Each is shortlisted in The Prince’s Trust Awards for both improving their chances in life and positively impacting their local community.

Allan Watt, Director of Prince’s Trust Scotland, said: “On behalf of everyone at The Prince’s Trust Scotland I would like to congratulate all the finalists on their incredible achievements.

“By completing a Trust programme, they have created a brighter future for themselves through education, jobs or by starting their own business.”

Darren McGuinness, is shortlisted for a Breakthrough Award, having been born with dwarfism, which makes him fearful that people will judge him only on his appearance.

As well as struggling at school, the 23-year-old also had to cope with his mother’s death five years ago and becoming a dad to a very unwell baby.

Darren joined the Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme, which gave him the self-esteem he needed to take a job with Marks & Spencer.

Megan McCann is also up for a Breakthrough Award. She lived in 12 different houses before the age of 14 and had an extremely difficult school life, which lead to her drinking.

At 13 she was ostracised at home and school following a pregnancy scare and she left school thinking she would never succeed at anything.

The 17-year-old enrolled on The Prince’s Trust Team programme and has now applied to college to study Social Sciences and intends to pursue a career in psychology.

Baqer Al Dakhil, 16, is shortlisted for an Educational Achiever Award after moving from Iraq to Glasgow, unable to speak English, as is Callum Davies, who lost his way at school following the death of his mum.

Siobhan Mackenzie is up for an Enterprise Award for pursuing her dream of becoming a fashion designer.

Ill health meant her school attendance plummeted to below 40 per cent and she was further hampered when she was involved in a fatal coach accident, resulting in serious injuries and long-term damage to her back, hips and knees. A broken nose will prevent her from ever breathing properly again.

The 23-year-old said the emotional shock of witnessing fatalities affected deeply and she gave up driving.

But now she has graduated with a first class degree, was trained by Scotland’s master kilt-maker, and was a tailoring technician for the Commonwealth Games 2014.

Darren McNamara, 27, is shortlisted for a Young Achiever Award, as is Georgina McGuffie, 26.

Finally, Zainab Magzoub, is in the running for a Young Ambassador Award, after fleeing Sudan with her parents when she was nine.

The 21-year-old has overcome many hurdles to be a Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.

Tonight’s event will host more than450 guests including Judy Murray, Still Game’s Greg Hemphill, actress Sharron Rooney, GB athletes Samantha Kinghorn and Michael Jamieson.