The day after marking her 40 years in broadcasting, beloved TV presenter Lorraine Kelly was honoured by New College Lanarkshire (NCL) as she was made a Fellow.
The Lanarkshire-born star was celebrated at a special event at at the college’s Coatbridge campus, which also saw more than £21,000 raised for the NCL Foundation – an initiative that breaks down barriers to education for students.
College registrar Elaine Turkington gave the laureation address and said it was a “special moment where we celebrate Lorraine’s remarkable career, her positive influence, and the inspiration she continues to provide to so many.
“From her warmth and grace on screen to her philanthropic efforts off-screen, Lorraine embodies everything this event is about: dedication, kindness, and impact.”
Lorraine said it had been a “fantastic night, and she was deeply honoured and just so, so chuffed.”
The television personality added: “It’s been an amazing week, and this has been the cherry on the icing on the cake.
“And the work being done here at the college is fantastic.”
The night was opened and closed with musical performances by students Niamh Morris and Veronica Glendinning, and included a lively and freewheeling question-and-answer session with Lorraine and NCL principal and chief executive, Professor Christopher Moore.
Topics included Lorraine’s childhood in East Kilbride, reporting on the Lockerbie and Dunblane disasters, and the most difficult celebrity she had ever interviewed.
Professor Moore said: “This has been a hugely important week for Lorraine as she celebrated 40 years in broadcasting.
“It was wonderful for us that she joined us to celebrate her as our newest Fellow and to support the future development of our Foundation.
“With our fantastic music and performing arts students, Lorraine provided us with a brilliantly entertaining evening.”
The event was designed to benefit the NCL Foundation and the organisation’s chair, Iain Clark, was delighted to announce that the evening and associated activities had raised over £21,000.
This included a £10,000 donation from the charity’s patron, Lady Susan Haughey, fundraising from staff and students doing the Three Peaks Challenge, and further support from AMCOL, WBG and the staff and students of the college’s culinary arts department, who donated tips collected while working in their training restaurants.
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