Linda Urquhart, of law firm Morton Fraser, scoops Woman of Influence 2015 title
A Scottish children’s charity has named the chairwoman of an Edinburgh law firm as its Woman of Influence 2015.
Linda Urquhart follows in the footsteps of previous recipients of the Action for Children Scotland award including Kirsty Wark, Katherine Grainger, Lorraine Kelly; Elaine C Smith and JK Rowling.
Linda, of law firm Morton Fraser, lifted the award at a glittering award ceremony to celebrate women who have had an important impact on society, on Sunday.
The judging panel, which included previous winner previous winner Olivia Giles said she was recognised for her “outstanding contribution to the community and business sector”.
Carol Iddon, director of children's services at Action for Children Scotland, said: "Linda has received the Woman of Influence award for her outstanding contribution to the community and business sector. She’s an excellent role model for the young people we support across Scotland.
Her work and input has benefited charities across the community and proves she’s a real Woman of Influence.
“Her work and input has benefited charities across the community and proves she’s a real Woman of Influence. We’re proud that Action for Children is celebrating her success this year.”
The event, held at Glasgow’s Grand Central, raised more than £80,000 in aid of Action for Children Scotland, with more than £1 million raised since Woman of Influence began in 2001.
Eighteen-year-old Molly Murdoch from Tullibody was the night’s other recipent.
She was awarded the Woman of Influence Community Award which is given each year to a young woman who has grown in ability as a result of support received from Action for Children Scotland.
Molly was supported by the charity’s Clackmannanshire Family Support service throughout her own childhood, especially after she started taking drugs at 13 and fell pregnant at 15. She now works for Action for Children Scotland as a family support and play worker, helping other children and parents in her local community.
Molly said: “I’m honoured to receive the Woman of Influence Community Award. Action for Children Scotland was there for me from the age of 11, and helped me through some really challenging times.
“My focus is now on being the best possible mum to my little boy, and using my experience to help others. I love working for the charity and helping people the way it helped me.
“It sounds dramatic, but I know that if it wasn’t for Action for Children Scotland, I would be in the gutter.”
