A FORMER Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year whose charity helps seriously ill children is in the running for a prestigious UK award.

Dr Laura Young, who set up the art therapy charity Teapot Trust after the death of her daughter, is a finalist in the Forward Ladies National Awards.

Laura has been shortlisted in the Social Entrepreneur of the Year category for Scotland, Yorkshire and the North East of England.

The FL National Awards recognise the achievements of business women throughout the UK and dedicate themselves to encouraging the growth and celebration of successful women.

The Teapot Trust provides art therapy for children with chronic illness in hospitals, with a specific focus on children suffering from rheumatological conditions.

Read more: Bishopbriggs student's family take on charity walk after her death

Laura and her husband John set up the charity after seeing the gaps in care of their daughter Verity who suffered from lupus and cancer before her death at the age of eight in 2009.

Verity spent much of her young life battling illnesses and a daily medicine regime and art provided a way for her to cope.

Laura said: “I am hugely honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious business award. Teapot Trust provides a friendly and supportive art therapy service to help both children and families cope with long term conditions that are often hidden.”

Today, Teapot Trust is Scotland’s largest employer of art therapists with 23 projects in 10 towns and cities in Scotland including Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. It also supports children at hospitals in London, Liverpool and Isle of Man and a further seven services (including Newcastle, Cardiff and Nottingham) are due to open soon.

Laura, who lives in East Lothian, was named Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year in 2016.