Laura Lee has been involved with Maggie’s Centres from before the concept was fully devised, as it was whilst working as a cancer nurse in Edinburgh’s Western Infirmary that Laura met Maggie Keswick Jencks – a patient of hers, who was being treated for terminal cancer. Together they came up with the concept of cancer caring centres that would offer people emotional support, practical advice, the chance to talk to peers and professionals about their experience and subsequently regain control of their lives – and all with a cup of tea and within an architecturally inspiring environment.

Maggie passed away in 1995, with Laura taking forward her friend’s vision by opening the first Maggie’s Centre in 1996 in Edinburgh. In 2011, Maggie’s celebrate their 15th anniversary year and their growth from one centre in Edinburgh to 15 centres either built or in development across the UK. In the past 15 years Maggie’s has helped nearly half a million people to build a life with, through and beyond cancer.

Laura Lee, Maggie’s CEO, said: “I am so honoured to be named SCVO’s Charity Champion of the year. I must say, I am filled with optimism and hope for the future of the charitable sector across Scotland, having read about all the nominees for this year’s awards. I was particularly taken by six-year-old Jack Henderson, who raised £20,000, through his Jack Draws Anything website – such a fabulous idea.

“It’s a great year for us, as we celebrate our 15th birthday. I must take the chance to thank all our supporters across the years, as each and every one of them is a charity champion in my mind, and I accept this award on behalf of them all. Maggie and I became strong friends all those years ago and I feel extremely privileged to have been able to take forward her vision – she is my inspiration every day.”

Dr Alison Elliot, Convener of SCVO summed up the spirit of the night in her speech, saying:

“Nobody in Scotland goes through life without being touched in someway by the work of Scotland’s charities and voluntary organisations, and tonight is our opportunity to say thank you to just a few of these organisations and the individuals who help them achieve so much.”

Maggie’s 15 Centres across the UK are: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Highlands, Fife, London, Cheltenham, Oxford and Lanarkshire; Maggie’s Gartnavel, Swansea and Nottingham will open later this year; Maggie’s Centres are in advanced planning stages in Aberdeen and Newcastle; Maggie’s Online Centre operates 24/7.

Laura, 43, was born and bred in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. She now lives in London with her husband and three children.

Unfortunately, Laura could not attend the awards as she was at business meeting in Norway with the architectural firm Snohetta, who are designing Maggie’s Aberdeen Centre. Maggie’s Director of Fundraising, Marie McQuade, who has worked at Maggie’s Centres for 10 years, collected the award on Laura’s behalf.