A Midlothian mum’s astounding fundraising efforts have been recognised as she was presented with the Great Scot Charity award, sponsored by Lees of Scotland. The Sunday Mail Great Scot Awards took place at the Thistle Glasgow Hotel on Saturday 26 October 2013.

Since her son Muir was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy, Ann Maxwell has raised £8million for the charity she set up in his name in 2003. The Muir Maxwell Trust provides support to both children suffering from severe epilepsy and their families. It also contributed to bringing a cutting edge DNA technology to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow from Australia which helps to diagnose children with epilepsy from all over the UK.

The Princess Royal opened a research centre aimed at early diagnosis of epilepsy at Edinburgh University earlier this year, the first in the UK and funded entirely by the Muir Maxwell Trust.

£8million is not enough for Ann though. She is currently training for the 2014 London Marathon and has set herself a target of £100,000.

Clive Miquel, chief executive at Lees Foods, who presented Ann with her well-deserved reward said: “A night like the Great Scot Awards is a perfect opportunity to recognise and congratulate people for their hard work and the difference they are making to Scotland.  I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Ann Maxwell and I am honoured to present the Charity Award to such an amazing woman.”