Helpusfind2017’s Scotswomanof the year winner...
WHO HAS IMPRESSED AND INSPIRED YOU THIS YEAR
WHO has inspired you i n 2017? The search for the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year is gathering steam, as we prepare to celebrate the ordinary women doing extraordinary things for the benefit of all of us.
We want to hear who you think should lift the trophy this year.
Whoever wins has some impressive shoes to fill. Last year’s winner, Laura Young, from East Lothian, set up art therapy charity The Teapot Trust following the death of her eight-year-old daughter.
It now employs art therapists in hospitals and hospices all over the UK, helping to take the fear and stress out of treatment and appointments for children with chronic health conditions and illnesses.
Previous winners of the event, supported by St Enoch Centre, also include Ann Moulds, who successfully campaigned to have anti-stalking laws changed all over Europe; Adele Patrick, founder of Glasgow Women’s Library, which is now a nationally respected organisation; and meningitis campaigner and activist Olivia Giles, who had her hands and feet amputated after contracting the disease.
Tell us who you want to win, either by filling in the coupon right and sending it to us, or by e-mailing us at the address at the end.
It could be your friend, your neighbour or colleague, or even your mum.
Perhaps you are impressed by a local charity worker, going the extra mile for the benefit of her whole community, or someone who has overcome obstacles in her own life to change things for the better for all of us?
Whether she is a celebrity you admire or a business leader inspiring a generation; a medical pioneer saving lives or a compassionate carer, we want to hear about the woman you think deserves our title.
Previous winners of the event have changed laws and saved lives; they have raised hundreds of thousands pounds for causes close to their heart and beaten injustice.
Above all, they have inspired others to make a difference.
Here are some contenders for this year’s title. Bea Jones set up The Moira Fund in memory of her daughter, who was murdered in Glasgow’s Queen’s Park almost 10 years ago.
The crime horrified the city and devastated Bea and her family, but shortly afterwards, Bea’s thoughts turned to how others might cope in a similar situation.
The Moira Fund provides grants to the families of those who have been murdered, a fitting tribute to the 40-year-old businesswoman who was loved and admired by so many.
Following her death, friends and neighbours lined up to tell of the help she had given, how she had supported them through bereavement, broken relationships and work problems.
Last year, Bea, who is 75, took part in Moira’s Run, an annual 5K in Queen’s Park organised by the Violence Reduction Unit to raise funds for the charity.
Already, the charity has helped more than 700 families, offering everything from paying the deposit for a funeral or a headstone, respite care and more. Ruth Gibson and Wendy Lucas are the driving force behind Hamilton Gymnastics Club, taking minimal salaries and working long days to invest every spare hour and every spare penny back into the club.
Thanks to their dedication, the club now has a clutch of young gymnasts winning titles and accolades at major contests around the country. Just as importantly, however, children and young people from all walks of life are getting the chance to take part in gymnastics.
Former gymnast and active schools co-ordinator Wendy and former Commonwealth Games gymnast Ruth started running classes together 10 years ago.
When they got their first permanent premises in 2013, the club had 400 members – now it has 1500 including male and female artistic, tumble, freestyle, acro, preschool and adult classes, and a brand new state of the art gym paid for by fundraising.
“We just want to give eve- ry child who wants it the opportunity to do gymnastics,” says Wendy, simply. “Whether they go on to be a champion or not, gymnastics is fun, it teaches kids great discipline and stamina and really helps them build up their confidence.” You don’t have to be an adult to have an impact on the world.
Grace, who is 12 and has Crohn’s disease, headed up a campaign to make people more aware of “invisible” disabilities after she experienced negative attitudes when she used disabled toilets.