LONG before she dedicated her award to female friendship, Laura Young had won the hearts and minds of the SWOTY audience.

Our 2016 winner accepted the trophy amidst cheers and applause, and her emotional acceptance speech moved many of the 220 women in the room to tears.

“The Teapot Trust was born out of the need to provide that ‘phew’ moment for children in hospital – a moment of friendship that gives them the support to carry on and do another day,” she said.

“It’s the same as when you sit down with a dear friend, and you get a boost of warmth, support and friendship.

“That buzz and chat of friends sitting down together has been very obvious tonight and I’m honoured to have been part of it.”

It is just six years since the Teapot Trust came into being, inspired by Laura’s own daughter Verity, who loved art and tea parties.

“Getting Verity into hospital was a real struggle – she hated it, and would cry and scream and refuse to go,” explained Laura.

“I would watch other parents of sick children going through the same thing and think – there must be a better way to do this. I came up with the idea of using art to help take the children’s minds off what they were doing – and  the Teapot Trust was born.”

Sadly, Verity died, aged eight, following a long and courageous battle with lupus and cancer.

Through her grief, Laura fought on to make The Teapot Trust a reality – and it now employs 17 art therapists in 22 projects around Scotland and the UK. For the young patients, it is a chance for them to relax and enjoy art and colouring in, to take their minds off the impending treatment.  For the parents, often distressed and exhausted by having to watch their children endure tough times in hospital, it is a lifeline.

Laura has spearheaded fundraising to the tune of almost half a million pounds and she continues to drive the charity forward.

Evening Times Editor Graham Shields said: “Laura is an outstanding example of courage in the face of adversity. Despite devastating personal grief, she never lost sight of what she wanted to do – to create a service she knew would help countless families during the darkest of times.

“Nothing can prepare parents for what lies ahead when their child is diagnosed with a serious illness.  “It takes an exceptional person to understand what needs to be done to help those parents, and, despite coping with her own overwhelming loss, to have the vision, the compassion and the tenacity to do it. Laura is nothing short of remarkable.”

ANNE LEDGERWOOD, general manager of event partner St Enoch Centre said: “No accolade can truly recognise the contribution that all of our exceptional SWOTY women have made.

“As ever, the judging process was incredibly challenging because each of our six finalists were so deserving of the title.

“Laura Young, our new Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year, turned a personal tragedy into an opportunity to help children with long term health conditions.

“Her dedication to the charity and the fantastic work it does to support families is a true inspiration.

“St Enoch Centre is honoured to continue our partnership with the SWOTY awards and its crucial role in celebrating the country’s amazing women and sharing their uplifting stories.”

One woman not welcome at last night’s event threatened to scupper travel plans for many of the invited guests – but despite the best efforts of Storm Doris, all six finalists – Laura, blind sprinter Libby Clegg, charity founder Michaela Foster Marsh, world-leading scientist Sarah Cleaveland, Girlguiding Scotland stalwart Alison Spurway and Refuweegee founder Selina Hales – made it to the event.

Cathy MacDonald, event host, said: “Storm Doris can do her worst – but SWOTY is like a warm, cosy duvet to wrap yourself up in. It’s a real pleasure to host the event again, and to be able to pay tribute to the wonderful women who do so much.”

Evening Times news editor Deborah Anderson, who spoke at the event alongside editor Graham Shields, said: “It’s a real honour to be part of SWOTY. Our six finalists tonight all have inspirational tales to tell. If it had been up to me they would all have been crowned as winners. But they have all become part of our Scotswoman of the Year family – a community with a strong past and bright future.”

It was up to Liz Lochhead, former Makar, award-winning poet and inspirational writer, to round things off in inimitable style.

Her hilarious, thoughtful poem about “The Night I Almost Became Miss Scotland” had the audience in tears of laughter this time.

She said: “It’s great to get dressed up and look good and come out on nights like this – but what I hope for Scotland’s daughters is that they realise their worth lies within themselves and the things they do.”

SHE continued: “Tonight is a celebration of heroes, women who really have changed the world.”

The invited guests included many well-known faces from stage and screen, politics and business, including actresses Elaine Mackenzie Ellis and Libby McArthur, former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice chief executive Rhona Baillie and Lord Provost Sadie Docherty.

Elaine Mackenzie Ellis said: “Hearing the stories of the women shortlisted for the award is incredible – they are all so inspirational.

“But even the company at each table is inspirational – we are all from different walks of life, doing different jobs, with different stories and normally our paths would not cross.

“SWOTY brings us all together, which is fantastic. I am sitting beside an Olympian, for goodness’ sake. And she’s giving me tips. I could be on that start line soon enough...”

Lawyer Stacey Cassidy was attending her first ever SWOTY dinner.

“Sometimes, it can feel daunting when you are asked to attend a woman-only event, with all the misconceptions that might follow,” she said.

“It can be a hard event to be part of. But SWOTY is the opposite. 

“It is warm and friendly, and truly inspirational.”