A WEE County woman is set to receive a prestigious accolade from Action for Children Scotland later this month.

The charity will honour Molly Murdoch (18) with the Women of Influence Community Award during a ceremony held in aid of its 15th annual Women of Influence Award.

The recognition is given to a young woman who has transformed her life as a result of the support she has received from Action for Children Scotland.

Mum-of-one Molly, from Tullibody, was supported by the charity’s Clacks Family Support service throughout her own childhood, especially when she started taking drugs when she experienced difficulties in her home life.

She now works for Action for Children Scotland as a family support and play worker, helping other children and parents in her local community.

Molly said: “The team at Clacks Family Support helped me through some very dark times when I was younger as things were difficult at home so I wanted to give something back to them. Looking back, I was a smart kid but my temper just got the better of me.

“I didn’t bother with school for a long time and my priority was to take drugs. As I was in such a dark place, I felt my only way out was to die.

“I was thrilled to receive funding through the Community Jobs Scotland initiative which has allowed me to take my own experience and use it to support other families and children.

“I found my true purpose in life when my son was born and I want to continue supporting him to the best of my ability. I’m honoured to receive the Woman of Influence Community Award.” An awards luncheon will be held in the The Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, on Sunday 22 March, to celebrate the Women of Influence Award 2015.

This year’s nominees are, Muriel Grey, author and broadcaster, Baroness Mobarik of Mearns CBE, Rosemary McGinness, group HR director at William Grant and Son, Linda Urquhart OBE, chairman at Morton Fraser and Margaret Anne Ford, Baroness Ford of Cunninghame.