IN THE grand surroundings of an elegant banqueting hall, full of women leading the way in business, arts, politics and more, a mother held the room spellbound with a simple, moving tribute to her daughter.

“Francesca didn’t ever think she was inspirational,” said May Mancini, quietly.

“But in the last six months or so, since she died, it has become very apparent that she was.”

Francesca Mancini was posthumously given the 2016 Editor’s Award in recognition of her remarkable fundraising efforts for the Beatson Cancer Charity, and her selfless dedication to raising awareness of what it means for a young adult to have cancer.

Previous recipients of the award have included First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female Lord Advocate Dame Eilish Angiolini and Britain’s most successful female Olympic athlete, rower Katherine Grainger.

May said: “Francesca really started fundraising when she was seven years old, trying to raise money for cancer charities because her gran had had the disease.

“She just wanted to give something back.

“When she was diagnosed with cancer, she wanted to help the Beatson because they gave us all –  Francesca, her sister Chiara and my husband Osvaldo and I, so much support.

“She wanted to do the Off the Beatson Track event, but she was too ill.

“She was going through 16 weeks of intensive chemotherapy.

“So she decided to get as big a team as possible together instead – and raised £16,000 in the process.”

The Bishopbriggs student, who became known as the ‘Princess of the Beatson’ because of her remarkable efforts in raising funds for and awareness of the charity, lost her fight with cancer just a few months before her 21st birthday.

May said: “Francesca didn’t want to be known as ‘Francesca who had cancer, or Francesca who lost her hair.

“She wanted to be remembered as Francesca the warrior, who did her best to fight a hard disease.”

May’s moving acceptance speech brought the room to a standstill.

“I want to end with Francesca’s mantra,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

“You only have one life, so how are you going to spend it? Regretting, dieting, crying, questioning or hating yourself, or are you going to get out, live and make yourself proud?

She added: “You have just one life - spend it well.”

Evening Times Editor Graham Shields said: “Francesca’s compassion for others knew no bounds. She was an inspiration and is sadly missed by everyone, including those of us on the Evening Times who got to know her well.

“We’re delighted to honour her with the Editor’s Award.”

Around 250 women attended the event, in the spectacular surroundings of Glasgow City Chambers, including Lord Provost Sadie Docherty and many former SWOTYs and their representatives.

Included in the audience were previous winners Sandra Brown, Catherine Campbell, Sheila Halley, Annette Turner, Mary Miller, Peggy O’Donnell, Eileen McKiernan, Dr Mary Hepburn and Jean Donnachie.

“It’s wonderful to be part of the SWOTY family,” said Sandra.

LAST night’s awards dinner was an emotional and uplifting affair.

Last year’s winner, Glasgow Women’s Library founder Adele Patrick, paid tribute to everyone involved in continuing to showcase women’s achievements.

“Every woman I know has wrestled with ‘imposter syndrome’ to some degree or other – women who have achieved far more than I have come up with ingenious ways of saying, ‘I don’t really deserve any credit’, or ‘they must have made a mistake in giving me the job’, ‘I’ve not really done anything’” she said.

“Every other woman I meet seems to me to have Wonder Woman style achievements, talents or superhuman strengths that she is determined, under any circumstances to not take any credit for.  “Being awarded Scotswoman of the Year is both the biggest and most wonderful moment of sheer joy simply because it is so gobsmackingly unexpected – which woman would even think it could be her?”

Adele added: “But winning the title also unleashes an enormous tsunami of love, heartfelt endorsements and praise so much so that there is no hiding place and you have to admit – this IS real, I HAVE achieved something.”

ADELE described her reign as SWOTY as “empowering, life-enhancing and totally positive” and a “maybe, a rare peek into the way so many men might feel – men who have had the advantage (whether by nature or nurture) that they feel ‘I am bound to get the job’, ‘I deserve accolades’.  “Men have no problem in seeing themselves as the most important person in the room.”

She concluded: “Thank you for the whole experience, principally the recognition that Glasgow Women’s Library has been of value for the people of Glasgow and Scotland – the most important and moving validation I could ever have.”

Eileen Tompkins, a headteacher from East Kilbride, said SWOTY was a ‘life-affirming event full of warmth and humour.”

She added: “I always value the opportunity to come to SWOTY, to be surrounded by inspirational people.”

As well as event partner St Enoch, SWOTY 2016 was supported by corporate partner Taylor Wimpey and a host of local businesses who donated prizes to the raffle.  The total raised on the night was £2000, donated to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice’s Brick by Brick Appeal.