28th Jun 2007 - Lanarkshire woman wins national award

A Lanarkshire woman has won a prestigious national award, which will allow her to follow her dream and access university.

Laura Townsley, who has recently completed an HND in Legal Services at Motherwell College, was awarded a bursary from the Helena Kennedy Foundation.  With the assistance of a bursary the foundation helps students, who have faced severe financial hardship or overcome significant barriers, progress to higher education.

Bursaries can be awarded to any student in the UK studying in a further education college, sixth form college and adult education centre. In 2007 there were over 300 applicants for awards.

Laura from Bellshill will be presented with her award at the House of Lords in September and is set to start at Glasgow Caledonian University in October where she will undertake a BA (Hons) in Legal Studies. 

Laura said "Gaining my HND was a great personal achievement as I was raising my family at the same time. The help of my tutors and the level of education I received at Motherwell College was outstanding - they really have prepared me for university. I did not think I would be able to make it to university but winning this award has allowed me to do it."

Hugh Logan, Motherwell College Principal and Chief Executive said: "Laura is a dedicated and talented student and I am extremely pleased that she will be able to follow her dream and go on to university. I would like to wish her all the best for the future."