Lorraine lights up NCL

The day after marking 40 years of broadcasting, Lorraine Kelly was honoured at New College Lanarkshire as she was made a Fellow. In a special event on our Coatbridge campus, she was celebrated and welcomed into the NCL family.

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, who grew up in Lanarkshire, said it had been a "fantastic night and she was deeply honoured, and just so, so chuffed.”

"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, particularly the free breakfast programme."

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, Professor Christopher Moore. Topics included her childhood in East Kilbride, reporting on the Lockerbie and Dunblane disasters, and the most difficult celebrity she had ever interviewed.

The evening was designed to benefit the NCL Foundation, which breaks down barriers to students accessing education. Foundation Chair Iain Clark was delighted to announce that the night and associated activities had raised over £20,000. This included a £10,000 donation from Charity Patron Lady Susan Haughey,  fundraising from the team doing the Three Peaks, and further support from AMCOL, WBG, and the staff and students of the Culinary Arts department, who gave tips collected while working at our training restaurants MLOne and Taste.

Many thanks to all who came out!