THE founder of a hospital which played a huge part in the rescue of workers injured in a clothing factory collapse is being honoured in Glasgow.

Valerie Taylor will be given a Lifetime Award for her humanitarian work in Bangladesh at an event at the Marriott Hotel tonight.

The physiotherapist from Buckinghamshire, who first arrived in the South Asian country as a volunteer in 1969, has dedicated her life to helping with the treatment and care of disabled poor people.

She opened the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in 1979.

The 100-bed hospital became a major part of the rescue operation for staff who were seriously injured in the Rana Plaza disaster.

Five textile factories, which produced garments for Western countries, were reduced to rubble on April 24 last year, killing more than 1000 people.

Retired Glasgow doctor Bryan Whitty, 74, is a trustee of the Valerie Taylor Trust which set up the specialist hospital in Savar, around 20 miles north of Dhaka.

Mr Whitty, who lives in the West of Glasgow, worked in the country as a colleague of Ms Taylor's for several years, along with his wife.

He said: "Valerie has dedicated the best part of her life to the people of Bangla-desh and in particular disabled people. It is inspiring work that she's done and I'm glad she's being honoured."

He said the hospital was a kilometre away from Rana Plaza.

He added: "The staff from Valerie's hospital were first on the scene to help with medical emergencies and wounded people.

"And the hospital is still dealing with the results of that and rehabilitating patients."

The event tonight is being organised by the Bangladesh Association Glasgow.

Guests will include Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson.

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk