A LOCHGELLY teenager who cared for her father during his drug addiction before he died says she will dedicate her nursing degree to him when she graduates as a nurse.

Rhys Greig, 19, stuck by her former ice hockey player dad Ryan as he battled drug addiction and mental health issues for most of her life.

Tragically he was found dead in his flat last year, aged just 44, but he encouraged Rhys to keep up her studies throughout her school days and was incredibly proud of all that she achieved despite the difficulties that surrounded her.

The Dundee University student's inspiring and moving story has earned her a Young Scot Awards nomination in the Excellence in Education category for 2018.

Rhys, who also has a brother Brendan, 21, told the Times: "My dad was always so encouraging, asking how we were getting on, even when his mental health and addition had consumed him.

"My day was always so much better when I visited him and that's what inspired me to go into nursing, to help others, it's brought me so much joy.

"My dad always encouraged me in my education and was so proud of what I achieved.

"He knew that everything I was doing was for him and he kept me motivated. Even though I was encouraged to take a year off before university when he died, I knew I wanted to carry on for him and be a role model for other people.

"It's very humbling to be nominated especially when education is at the core of my values."

Ryan enjoyed lots of success in his early years as an ice hockey player for Fife Flyers and was featured in the pages of the Times on several occasions.

As well as a talented athlete, Ryan was a mechanical engineer, but his life started to spiral out of control after he had a brain haemorrhage when he was only 27.

Rhys continued: "He had to learn to walk again and eventually recovered physically but he never was the same again emotionally or mentally.

"I think he felt sad and low, he went from being very successful to being stuck in hospital. Due to a back injury he had to take pain killers and became addicted, then it was Valium and then heroin.

"He could never be as successful as he was, and a lot of shame was carried from that.

"I had to adapt very quickly and because I was so young I didn't really know what was going, I just knew he needed a little extra help.

"When I was a teenager I realised that he probably wouldn't be around for most of my life.

"You always think it's never going to happen to your family or someone with a background like my dad, but it just shows it could happen to anyone."

Rhys started caring for her dad in her early teens and dealt with things few young girls would have to think about such as taking up training on stopping an overdose.

"Sometimes things would get better and even through the tough times I still have good memories with my dad," Rhys added.

"But before he died last year things were probably at their worst.

"Despite all the difficulties though he still lived a normal life and worked different jobs as a salesman and at Amazon.

"People can brand you with a stereotype and I felt written off from a young age, that I had less of a chance then other people.

"I should never feel ashamed of my dad but there were times when I was scared of telling people because I think they would make a presumption.

"Statistics show that children with parents who are drug addicts will probably be the same but I'm breaking that stereotype.”