Community activists in running to be Scotswoman of year

AFTER weeks of nominations and a fantastic response from readers, it is time to reveal our sensational six.

The finalists competing for the title of 2014 Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year are truly inspirational.

The winner will be declared at a glittering gala dinner in Glasgow City Chambers on February 12.

Today, we unveil the first three contenders.

Ann Fotheringham reports.

MARIA RIGHETTI

Maria Righetti was a happily married, busy mum of twin girls, juggling a full time job and family life, when her husband Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

He was only 31, an unusually young age for the condition to strike, and suddenly, the couple found their whole lives turned upside down.

"The girls were just six when Michael was diagnosed - that was the hardest part of it all," she recalls.

"And he was on a horrendous cocktail of drugs, and we had no idea what was in store.....but you just get on with it, don't you?"

For this inspirational mother and personal trainer, 'just getting on with it' meant tackling it head-on.

She set up a charity to raise funds for research into the disease, ran a support group for sufferers and their families and gave up her job to work from home and care for Michael.

Since then, she has raised more than £100,000 and stages the annual Millport Run, which attracts hundreds of entrants, putting Parkinson's and its consequences firmly in the spotlight.

And she continues to fundraise, through a series of personal challenges such as running 500 10ks in 500 days.

Friends and families of those her charity has helped say she is humble, hardworking and supportive of all - a true inspiration.

LAURA NOLAN

The loss of a child at any age is a tragedy no mother should ever have to face.

To lose a beloved son through suicide is heartbreaking.

Laura Nolan's son Josh killed himself when he was just 22.

Before his death, Laura knew he was struggling - but could find no-one to help her.

Battling her pain and grief, she has set up a charitable foundation to offer counselling for troubled young people and the relatives of suicide victims.

"Josh was like many men his age - he was struggling to work out where he was going in life," she explains. "He was losing himself and I could not find anyone to help.

"We need to have a national conversation about mental health and tackle this taboo."

Since setting up the Foundation, Laura has campaigned tirelessly to educate people about mental health issues and raise funds to expand the services the charity offers.

LIBBY CLEGG

She provided Glasgow and the world with one of the sparkling highlights of this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg won Scotland's first athletics gold at the event, firmly establishing her as one of Great Britain and Scotland's most successful track and field athletes of recent years.

She has two Paralympic Games Silvers, a World Championship Gold and a European Championship Gold under her belt.

Libby suffers from a deteriorating eye condition known as Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy disease, which means she only has slight peripheral vision in her left eye, and is registered as blind.

She burst on to the scene aged just 16, winning 200m silver at the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships and has wowed athletics fans and commentators ever since.

She is also an ambassador for the Royal Blind Charity, and an inspiration to all young people, disabled and able-bodied, considering taking up sport.