ON HER way up to the grand banqueting hall of the City Chambers, on a cold, windy night in February, charity founder Laura Young had no idea she was about to be crowned Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year.

“I remember pausing for a photograph on the beautiful, sweeping marble staircase - looking back, it beautifully set the scene for the evening ahead,” she recalls with a smile.

“I was shocked when my name was read out. It felt unreal.”

As Storm Doris raged outside, more than 200 women inside the hall rose to their feet as Laura accepted the trophy with a warm and moving speech dedicated to female friendship.

At her table were her friends and colleagues from The Teapot Trust, the art therapy charity she set up following the death of her eight-year-old daughter Verity.

Verity, who had lupus and cancer, loved drawing and painting but hated hospitals. The Teapot Trust funds art therapists all over Scotland and in London and Liverpool, giving seriously ill children a way of relaxing before demanding treatments or stressful appointments.

“It was important to me to have the art therapists there – they are the ones doing the incredible work,” says Laura. “Team Teapot is about much more than just me.”

Nevertheless, it is Laura’s passion, clear-headed focus and determination which have driven the charity, transforming it from a small, grass-roots group into a nationally respected organisation.

On a visit to the art therapists at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children, most of the parents visiting already know who Laura is – those who don’t, on finding out she is the founder of the charity, are quick to congratulate and thank her.

“This makes such a difference to my daughter – it just takes her mind off what is happening to her, helps her to cope,” says Caroline Clark, of Clydebank.

Caroline’s daughter Ava has a rare condition in which her immune system is attacking the back of her eyes, causing vision problems.

“I see how much less anxious Ava is before her treatment, when she spends time with the art therapists,” adds Caroline. “It’s an amazing idea.”

Winning SWOTY was the catalyst for a busy and successful year for Laura, who met Prime Minister Theresa May at a special reception at Downing Street to celebrate International Women’s Day and joined women of influence from across Scotland at the prestigious Women of Achievement awards lunch in London’s Caledonian Club.

At the latter, she met model Stella Tennant, who is a longtime supporter of the Teapot Trust and Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood.

“Our reputation has grown hugely over the last 12 months,” nods Laura. “We now have 19 projects in place, and 12 outstanding requests from hospitals across Scotland.”

Being crowned SWOTY has also persuaded Laura, who received an honorary doctorate from Queen Margaret University in 2015 and an MBE the following year, to reconsider taking a back seat in the charity as it continues to grow.

“Adele Patrick, founder of Glasgow Women’s Library, really struck a chord with me in her speech at SWOTY when she talked about women who suffer from imposter syndrome – that feeling you are not worthy, or somehow don’t deserve something,” says Laura.

“I often catch myself, at lunches or award dinners, when I see my placecard on the table ‘Dr Laura Young, MBE, Scotswoman of the Year and momentarily think – who’s that?

“I think what I have realised since winning SWOTY is that this is my doing, I am the person people want to speak to for The Teapot Trust, and I can’t duck out of that.”

She adds: “Demand is such that we could double the appointments we have. We are working hard to get funding for evidence-based research into how art therapy helps children – we have so much anecdotal evidence, we see it happening in front of our eyes, but we need it backed up.”

Laura pauses. “I wouldn’t be satisfied to leave now – there are many more children out there who could benefit from what The Teapot Trust does.

“We have to go for it. There is lots more to be done.”

After the shock of winning SWOTY, Laura has some advice for her successor, who will be announced at the invitation-only awards dinner in February.

“When your name is called, you will be on cloud nine,” she smiles. “Just stay on cloud nine. Keep that feeling going. Make the most of the opportunities the title can bring and don’t feel under pressure. SWOTY is very special – enjoy it for as long as you can.”

Who deserves to follow in Laura’s footsteps? We need your nominations for the 2017 Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year by the closing date of Friday, December 8.

You can email swoty@eveningtimes.co.uk or place your nomination on the website http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/scotswoman-of-the-year-awards/

You can also use the form below.

Call 0141 302 7407 for more information.

SWOTY 2017 NOMINATION

Name of nominee ...............................................................................

Reason for nomination (please continue on separate sheets if necessary)...................................................................

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Your name .....................................................................................

Your telephone no .............................................................................

Your email address ............................................................................

Send to Lyndsay Wilson, marketing and events, Herald and Times Group, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3QB.

For more information call 0141 302 7407.