Action for Children's annual fundraiser was held in Glasgow this weekend
Inspirational women gathered in Glasgow this weekend for an awards ceremony.
Action for Children’s annual Women of Influence event took place at the Grand Central Hotel on Sunday (18 March).
The awards recognise remarkable Scottish women who have had an outstanding impact on society and who act as role models to the children, young people, and families the charity supports.
To date, the event has raised more than £1m to support the charity’s work.
Colleen McCudden, 25, from Springburn in Glasgow was honoured with the Inspirational Young Woman award. McCudden was supported by the charity’s Gen R 8 housing support service in the North East of Glasgow.
She first experimented with drugs and alcohol at an early age and a chaotic few years followed the passing of her dad. But now in her own tenancy, and playing for the Motherwell women’s development team, McCudden’s life is on an upward trajectory and the award recognises the progress she has made after engaging with Gen R 8.
She said: “Hopefully my story shows people you don’t have to become a product of your environment. Sometimes we all need support. Now I have an amazing life. I went from a broken person to someone who believes she is capable of anything. If I can change, then anyone can.”
Margaret Gibson OBE, from the Ernst Young Foundation, won the Woman of Influence award.
Gibson was the first Scottish woman to win the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, in 2015, and has been recognised for spending more than 20 years mentoring young people across Scotland. She has also mentored and inspired many entrepreneurs over the years, and through her work with Women’s Enterprise Scotland, has encouraged female business owners, whatever their background or sector, to believe they could succeed.
Action for Children Scotland director Paul Carberry said: “This award is in recognition of Margaret’s commitment to young people across Scotland and her work in finding them routes into employment and education. It was a very strong shortlist this year but she is a more than deserving winner.”
